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Florida coronavirus cases jump by more than 900 as testing continues

Coronavirus cases continue to increase exponentially across the state. One new death was reported in Pinellas County.
In response to coronavirus outbreak, a tent has been set up as physicians test patients curbside who have been referred by physicians outside of BayFront Health St. Petersburg hospital at 701 6th St. South on Monday, March 16, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The service is not open to the general public.
In response to coronavirus outbreak, a tent has been set up as physicians test patients curbside who have been referred by physicians outside of BayFront Health St. Petersburg hospital at 701 6th St. South on Monday, March 16, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The service is not open to the general public. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Published March 29, 2020|Updated March 30, 2020

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The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Florida continues to grow by more each day.

On Sunday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by more than 900, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health. It was the largest increase in one day since the state began reporting numbers. One new death was reported in Pinellas County

Experts have said the number of cases is following a path of exponential growth.

Florida has logged 4,950 total positive cases with 60 deaths. Of the positive cases, more than 600 patients are hospitalized.

In Tampa Bay, there were 225 reported cases in Hillsborough, 116 in Pinellas, 35 in Pasco and 20 in Hernando counties. Hillsborough County, which had the fourth most cases in the state, dropped to fifth on Sunday, falling behind Orange County.

Five people have died in Pinellas, two in Hillsborough and two in Pasco counties. Of the 60 deaths reported as related to COVID-19, the state categorized one as a Florida resident that was not in the state when diagnosed and isolated.

The number of cases in the state is doubling every three days, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis. As testing availability has increased, the rate of cases has increased almost exactly alongside it, according to the Times analysis.

As of Sunday night, the state had tested about 50,000 people, according to the Health Department.

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