On a day when Floridians heard some disturbing news about COVID-19 cases in Florida, the state reported a massive increase in new positive results and two more local residents lost their battle with the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that 22 cases of the highly contagious, mutated strain of the Coronavirus that was first identified in the United Kingdom have been found in Florida. Only California has more cases, with 26 reported so far. Two also have been identified in Colorado, with one in New York and one in Georgia for a total of 52 in the United States, the CDC reported.
All told, Florida on Friday reported 1,449,252 COVID-19 cases – an increase of 19,530 in a 24-hour period. Of those, 1,423,510 are residents. A total of 67,836 cases have been reported in long-term care centers and 27,734 in correctional facilities. Across the state, there have been 23,011 deaths and 65,063 people have been hospitalized.
Locally, two more Marion County residents succumbed to COVID-19. They are among the 951 deaths in the tri-county area, the 23,011 in Florida and the 367,143 across the country.
Also, Marion County is reporting 20,040 COVID-19 cases – an increase of 455 in a 24-hour period. There have been 498 deaths and 1,394 people have been hospitalized.
Ocala continues to lead Marion County with 14,481 cases – an overnight increase of 310. Others have been identified in Summerfield (1,220), Dunnellon (895), Belleview (812), Citra (356), Silver Springs (344), Ocklawaha (297), Reddick (209), Fort McCoy (173), Anthony (169), Weirsdale (145), The Villages (59), Salt Springs (35), Flemington (34), McIntosh (19), Sparr (18), Orange Lake (17), Candler (14), Lowell (14), Morriston (6), Orange Springs (6), East Lake (6) and Fairfield (5).
Below is a breakdown of other COVID-19 activity in the local area:
TRI-COUNTY AREA
- Cases: 43,358 – increase of 825
- Deaths: 951
- Hospitalizations: 2,817
LAKE COUNTY
- Cases: 17,489 – increase of 261
- Deaths: 331
- Hospitalizations: 1,030
- Cities with most cases: Clermont (4,601), Leesburg (2,810), Eustis (1,497), Mount Dora (1,326) and Tavares (1,298).
SUMTER COUNTY
- Cases: 5,829 – increase of 109
- Deaths: 122
- Hospitalizations: 393
- Areas/cities with most cases: The Villages (2,542), Coleman (776), Wildwood (740), Bushnell (626) and Oxford (348).