Another 5,607 people tested positive for coronavirus, according to Thursday’s report from the Flordia Department of Health. That’s higher than the previous two days and the 10-day average but below other recent daily increases.
There were an additional 73 deaths were recorded in the state, bringing the total since March to 17,372. Seven of those were in Northeast Florida, with three in Duval County, three in Columbia County and one in Alachua County. Those who died in Jacksonville ranged in age from a 45-year-old man to a 89-year-old man. Only two of the deaths in Northeast Florida were under age 81.
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The statewide positivity rate in the state was 7.35% Wednesday and remained above 6% all month. While Duval County’s rate has declined to 5.26%, Clay and St. Johns counties are above 11% and Columbia County’s rate reached 13.62%.
Positivity rates in Florida and most area counties averaged closer to 5% last month.
Duval County added 163 cases on Thursday, more in line with the recent average after spiking to 462 on Wednesday.
While the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Florida hospitals shows has increased markedly in the past couple of weeks. It increased to 3,058 on Thursday after hovering between 2,000 and 2,200 for most of last month.
The state’s outbreak peaked over the summer, with nearly 10,000 patients being treated in late July.