Florida adds 7,128 coronavirus cases, 129 deaths Wednesday

Florida reported 7,128 coronavirus cases and 129 deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths statewide since March to 30,878.

There have been 1,885,661 COVID-19 infections in Florida over the course of the pandemic.

On average, the Florida Department of Health has reported 5,862 infections and 151 deaths per day this week. It can take officials up to two weeks to confirm and report a coronavirus-related death, meaning the number of deaths added does not necessarily reflect the number of people who died the previous day.

The health department processed more than 118,000 tests on Tuesday, with a daily positivity rate of 5.99 percent.

Vaccinations: Florida has vaccinated 2,792,118 people, according to Wednesday’s report, with 21,267 people receiving their first dose on Tuesday and 24,025 people receiving the second dose. So far, 1,492,509 people have received both doses needed for immunity, while 1,299,609 people have received just one dose.

In Hillsborough County, 136,230 people have been vaccinated; in Pinellas, 135,422; in Pasco, 61,164; in Manatee, 49,530; in Polk, 65,184; in Hernando, 22,624; and in Citrus, 23,552.

Hospitalizations: As of Wednesday, Florida hospitals were treating 4,077 patients for COVID-19, including 797 people in the Tampa Bay region.

The health department reported 265 new admissions Wednesday, including 54 admissions locally.

About 20 percent of hospital beds and 18 percent of adult intensive care unit beds were available statewide. In Tampa Bay, about 19 percent of hospital beds and 18 percent of adult ICU beds were open.

Positivity: Florida’s positivity rate was about 6.7 percent Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Before reopening, states should maintain a positivity rate of 5 percent or less for at least two weeks, according to the World Health Organization. A positivity rate of 5 percent or less indicates that testing is widespread enough to capture mild, asymptomatic and negative cases.

The District of Columbia and 24 states currently have a positivity rate below 5 percent.

Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 1,464 cases and 36 deaths Wednesday.

Polk County reported 17 deaths. Hillsborough, Pasco and Citrus counties reported five deaths each. Pinellas added two deaths, while Hernando and Manatee counties added one death each.

Hernando County’s weekly average positivity rate was about 9 percent while Hillsborough’s was 8 percent. Pasco, Polk and Citrus counties had positivity rates of about 7 percent. Pinellas and Manatee counties had positivity rates of about 6 percent.

As of the latest count, Hillsborough has 110,086 cases and 1,486 deaths, Pinellas has 65,623 cases and 1,445 deaths, Polk has 56,409 cases and 1,141 deaths, Manatee has 31,469 cases and 584 deaths, Pasco has 32,900 cases and 647 deaths, Hernando has 11,147 cases and 399 deaths, and Citrus has 9,641 cases and 394 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 CORONAVIRUS 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.