Nearly two weeks into November, Florida’s daily average of new coronavirus cases continues its steady climb.
The state reported another 6,933 confirmed COVID-19 cases in data released Friday from the health department. That brought the average for the first 13 days of November to 4,874 cases a day.
Not counting a delayed data dump on Sept. 1, Friday’s cases were the most reported in one day since Aug. 12 (8,109).
There were an additional 74 deaths recorded in the state, bringing the total since March to 17,659. Four of those were in Northeast Florida, with two in Duval County (549 total), one in Alachua County (85) and one in Baker County (29).
According to Friday’s data, the statewide positivity rate was 7.95% Thursday and hasn’t dropped below 6.34% so far this month. While Duval County’s rate has declined to 5.27%, Clay and Nassau counties are above 9% and Columbia County’s rate reached 14.15% with Baker County at 15%/.
Positivity rates in Florida and most area counties averaged closer to 5% last month.
Duval County added 207 cases on Friday. So far in November, Jacksonville is averaging 187 cases a day.
The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Florida hospitals has increased markedly in the past couple of weeks. It increased to 3,129 on Friday 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.