Florida coronavirus updates: New case growth slows; 22,081 diagnosed, 591 dead

Florida on Wednesday reported that 22,081 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus, and 591 people have died since the outbreak began.

But the daily increases in cases and deaths are showing signs of diminishing. The state counted just 475 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

That’s the smallest number since March 24, when 300 new cases were recorded near the beginning of the pandemic.

In Palm Beach County, health department director Dr. Alina Alonso said it appears an emergency field hospital set up at the South Florida Fairgrounds may not be needed for coronavirus patients after all. There were fewer than 40 new cases in the county Tuesday.

In Tallahassee, Jared Moskowitz, the state’s emergency management director, said, "The mitigation measures are working. We are flattening that curve.”

But the death toll in South Florida continues to rise. Since Tuesday morning, there has been an increase of 47 deaths altogether from COVID-19 in the counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, according to the state health department.

Miami-Dade, the epicenter for infections in Florida, has had 146 deaths. With 2.7 million people, Miami-Dade has the highest population of all 67 counties in the state, according to the most recent census data.

There have been 105 deaths in Palm Beach County and 92 in Broward, the Department of Health said.

The United States counted 609,696 cases on Wednesday morning, including 26,059 deaths. Both figures are the highest among all countries with the virus; the U.S. is the third most populous country, behind China and India.

Worldwide, there are 2 million cases and 128,071 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.

Florida touts testing gains

Nearly one out of every 100 Floridians have been tested for the new coronavirus, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.

The ratio is even better for the South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach: nearly one out of 85 residents.

“We’ve been able to get a better baseline about what’s happening," the governor said at a Tallahassee news conference. “Obviously people want to be able to get tested and get results.”

Overall, the state ranks second in the nation for COVID-19 testing, in line with Florida’s position as the third most populous state behind Texas and California.

DeSantis credited drive-thru test sites as well as expanded testing in hospitals and nursing homes for the results.

In raw numbers, more than 207,800 people in Florida have been swabbed; this includes 82,733 residents in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Overall, 10.5 percent of the tests have come back positive, according to the latest state data.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is holding a video town hall at 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon on coronavirus, showing how the pandemic has become the world’s preeminent issue -- and the importance the Democrats are placing on Florida. | Read more.

Fort Lauderdale restaurant Hott Leggz has removed thousands of dollar bills stapled to the walls and ceiling and handed the cash to unemployed workers. | Read more.

Federal stimulus payments to help Americans get through the coronavirus crisis will not be counted as income in benefits calculations for low-income and disabled recipients, according to analysts and policymakers in the state and federal government. | Read more.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the first federal checks will begin going out this week, calling that a “priority,” but didn’t speak to a timeline for those who began applying for state payments a month ago, as well as newer applicants. | Read more.

The mayors of two of Palm Beach County’s largest cities said Tuesday they’re worried about getting food to residents who are suddenly without income during coronavirus shutdowns. | Read more.

The deaths and infections come as part of the growing toll the virus is taking on senior centers across the state and in Broward County. | Read more.

President Donald Trump says he has directed a halt to U.S. payments to the World Health Organization, saying the outbreak could have been contained had the U.N. health agency done a better job investigating reports coming out of China. | Read more.

Reno Boffice, the principal of Palm Beach Maritime Academy has died, the Lantana school announced Tuesday. | Read more.

How a poker game at an Aventura condominium turned into a coronavirus tragedy for retirees with ties to New York. | Read more.

After a weeklong stay at the hospital, Jean Boccard, 97, of Coral Springs, has overcome the odds to survive, surprising even her doctor. She recently returned home. | Read more.

Resources

Your guide to living through the crisis: What you need to know, in one place.

Drive-thru testing sites: Where to get tested for the new coronavirus.

Complete list of essential businesses: Here’s what’s closed and allowed to be open.

Florida’s stay-at-home order: Here’s what you can and can not do now.

Protect yourself: Here’s how to stay safe, and what to do if you’re sick.

Restaurants offering delivery: These spots have take-out or delivery options.

Free meals in South Florida: Here are some of the local organizations offering food.

Health insurance if you lost your job: Here’s how to get or keep coverage.

Trouble paying your mortgage? You’re probably off the hook. Here’s what you need to know.

More financial help if you’re in trouble: From banking to utilities, here’s some help.

Help for out-of-work restaurant workers: They are among the hardest hit.

Official government resources

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