Florida adds 7,000+ coronavirus cases, 77 deaths Sunday

Florida added 7,391 coronavirus cases Sunday, amid a holiday weekend when some state and county-run testing sites were closed.

Nearly every day in the past two weeks, Florida processed more than 110,000 tests per day. But on Christmas Day and the Saturday after, the state processed around 86,000 and 85,000 tests, respectively.

The cases bring Florida’s total number of infections since March to 1,271,979. The weekly case average is about 11,259 cases announced per day.

On Sunday, Florida also announced 77 deaths. Statewide, 21,514 people have died from the virus. About 107 people are announced dead per day, according to the weekly average death rate.

Vaccinations: As of Sunday, 118,764 people in Florida have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to a report from the state Department of Health.

The number increased by 4,818 from the day prior. All of the vaccines are first doses, and women continue to outpace men in receiving vaccines.

There have been 9,124 vaccinations in Hillsborough and 9,103 in Pinellas. Polk has had 2,016, Manatee 967, Pasco 2,295, Hernando 625 and Citrus 224.

Miami-Dade and Broward County continue to lead the state in the most vaccinations. Orange is the third-highest, then Hillsborough and Pinellas.

Hospitalizations: About 5,900 people are hospitalized with the coronavirus statewide, a jump of nearly 400 from the reported number Saturday, according to data from the Agency for Health Care Administration. About 1,200 of those patients are in the Tampa Bay area.

Statewide, about 28 percent of hospital beds and 22 percent of ICU beds are available. In Tampa Bay, about 26 percent of hospital beds and 21 percent of ICU beds are open.

Positivity: Florida’s average weekly positivity rate is about 9 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University. It is one of 47 states not meeting the World Health Organization recommendation for a 5 percent positivity rate or below.

When positivity is too high, it indicates there isn’t enough widespread testing to capture mild and asymptomatic cases. When undetected, cases continue to spread through the community and cause more outbreak.

Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 1,239 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths Sunday.

Nine of the deaths were reported in Pinellas. Both Manatee and Polk recorded one death.

Polk leads the area with the highest average weekly positivity rate at 11 percent, followed by Hillsborough and Hernando at 10 percent. Citrus and Pasco follow at 8 percent, Manatee at 8 percent and Pinellas at 7 percent.

As of the latest count, Hillsborough has 74,368 cases and 1,065 deaths; Pinellas has 43,210 cases and 1,036 deaths; Polk has 35,656 cases and 771 deaths; Manatee has 21,406 cases and 415 deaths; Pasco has 21,036 cases and 356 deaths; Hernando has 7,028 cases and 265 deaths; and Citrus has 6,417 cases and 252 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

HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREADING IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.

VACCINES Q & A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida.

FACE MASKS: Read the latest on guidelines, tips for comfort and long-term wear

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

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

A TRIBUTE TO THE FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply.

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.