Florida adds more than 700 coronavirus cases Sunday

As residents broke with social distancing rules to gather in protest around Florida and Tampa Bay this weekend, the number of positive coronavirus cases continued to climb.

On Sunday, the caseload reached 56,163, with 739 cases added from Saturday. Tampa Bay had 144 new positive cases of the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

Some who stood outside city halls and police headquarters to protest the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died at the hands of police, continued to wear masks in public. Others did not, as peaceful demonstrations, particularly in Tampa, devolved into violent protests with looted businesses, burning buildings and tense standoffs with officers in full riot gear.

Here are the latest numbers on coronavirus cases across the state and Tampa Bay.

What’s happening across the state?

Florida recorded four new deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday. The total death count rose to 2,534.

The state also added 739 cases of the virus, bringing its total tally of confirmed infections to 56,163.

In recent days, newly reported deaths in the state have slowed. There’s generally an uptick in deaths recorded on Tuesdays, following the low numbers posted on Sundays and Mondays.

On Sunday, the Florida Department of Health’s public data dashboard was no longer available to be viewed without a login and password, prompting confusion from online users and residents. The health department described the issue as a “glitch” in a tweet.

For weeks, new reported cases of the virus were clearly declining, but at the end of April, the growth rate started to flatten. In recent days, the rate has started moving upward with the state averaging about 780 new confirmed coronavirus cases each day.

What’s the latest in Tampa Bay?

There were no new deaths reported in the Tampa Bay area on Sunday.

The counties that make up the region — Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk — together account for 144 new cases.

More than half of the area’s deaths can be tied to long-term care facilities.

Manatee County, where several large outbreaks have occurred in nursing homes, continues to lead the region in reported deaths with 99.

A Tampa Bay Times analysis found that more than 80 percent of the region’s deaths are among people 65 and older.

Hillsborough County continues to have the most confirmed infections with 2,201 in total, and 72 added on Sunday.

As of the latest counts, Hillsborough had 2,201 cases and 84 deaths; Pinellas had 1,297 cases and 83 deaths; Manatee had 1,045 cases and 99 deaths; Polk had 1,027 cases and 55 deaths; Pasco had 386 cases and 14 deaths; Citrus had 121 cases and 12 deaths; and Hernando had 115 cases and six deaths.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

• • •

Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage

THE CORONAVIRUS SCRAPBOOK: We collected your stories, pictures, songs, recipes, journals and more to show what life has been like during the pandemic.

GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.

SO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE? Read these 10 tips first

WHAT’S OPEN?: This list includes local establishments doing business in various ways.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS: The updated database of Tampa Bay restaurants open for dine-in or takeout

UNEMPLOYMENT Q&A: We answer your questions about Florida unemployment benefits

LISTEN TO THE CORONAVIRUS PODCAST: New episodes every week, including interviews with experts and reporters

HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.