Florida coronavirus update for Thursday: 666 new cases, 31 new deaths
Nationwide, with over 432,000 cases, the U.S. death toll is approaching 15,000. Worldwide, there are over 1.5 million cases and just under 90,000 fatalities, according to the
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.
Florida’s death toll passed 350 — including two new deaths in Volusia County — at what could be the beginning of a surge that may not relent until summer. The state now has 16,364 cases and 354 deaths — an increase of 31 deaths since Tuesday night and 666 more cases.
Central Florida now has 2,114 cases. Orange County leads the region with 857 cases, followed by Osceola’s 295, Seminole’s 228, Polk’s 212, Volusia’s 179, Lake’s 139, Brevard’s 106 and Sumter’s 98.
Central Florida’s death toll stands at 38 as of Thursday morning. The region’s two newest deaths, both in Volusia County, involved a 79-year-old man who had traveled to Aruba and Curacao, and an 84-year-old man whose case was not travel related. (
See details on all Central Florida cases here).
The testing site at the Orange County Convention Center was set to have 350 tests available Thursday. The site recently
expanded its testing methods to include throat swabbing tests provided by the state. Also Thursday,
AdventHealth announced it will offer drive-through testing sites that won’t require a doctor’s prescription, the first to open Friday at Daytona International Speedway.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said
Disney and Orlando’s other theme parks closing March 16 was a “pivotal moment” for slowing the virus not only in Central Florida and the U.S. but worldwide.
“They put the people over profits, and if that had happened all across America, perhaps America wouldn’t be in the position it’s in today” he said.
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