Florida approaches 17K positive COVID-19 cases as governor urges face masks for Floridians

(WWSB) - In the second update of the day, the state of Florida confirmed that there are 16,826 positive COVID-19 cases with 16,323 of those belonging to Florida residents.

The new numbers come in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plea for Floridians to wear masks while in public to prevent contamination from possible carriers of the illness.

As of Thursday evening, 2,298 hospitalizations were reported along with 371 deaths. Hospitalization, explains the Florida Department of Health, are counted to include those who later tested positive and who were hospitalized at one point in their illness.

Sarasota County:

Residents: 188 Residents Not in Florida: 0 Non-Residents: 13

Demographics of Cases Age Range: 0 to 99 Median Age: 64 Men: 86 Women: 115

Conditions and Care Deaths: 10 Hospitalizations* Residents: 61 Non-Residents: 7

Manatee County:

Total Cases: 179 Residents: 179 Residents Not in Florida: 0 Non-Residents: 0

Demographics of Cases Age Range: 14 to 89 Median Age: 57 Men: 80 Women: 96

Conditions and Care Deaths: 11 Hospitalizations* Residents: 39 Non-Residents: 0

WWSB