Florida COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations increase, but new cases continue downward trend

The Florida Department of Health reported 5,446 new cases to the Florida COVID-19 Dashboard, bringing the total positive test count to 497,330 cases as of the August 3rd report. This is the 10th straight day Florida has reported under 10,000 new cases.

The FDOH also reported 31,706 new tests from Monday. The positivity rate was 10.88% of the total, according to the report. Since July 16th, the positivity rate has stayed below 15%.

7,402 people have died from the virus in Florida, an increase of 245, which is the third highest day of reported fatalities since the pandemic began.

When the FDOH reports a death in the daily update, the number encompasses several days, with actual days of death occurring weeks prior in some cases. The state maintains a chart of actual days of death on its COVID dashboard showing the deadliest days as July 17 with 134 fatalities, but also more than 100 deaths each day between July 7-23.