In the latest Florida report, 22.75% of people tested were positive for COVID

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida rose by more than 12,000 cases Tuesday amid positivity numbers not seen since July – the peak of the Florida pandemic. The statewide positivity rate of 22.75% – nearly double that in some counties – was driven by a small number of people tested due to closing times and / or limited hours of testing sites over Christmas and the holiday weekend.

While the 12,075 cases reported by the Florida Department of Health were not a one-day record increase in Florida, 1024 new cases were reported in Duval County Tuesday – by far the most in one day since the start of the pandemic.

As of March 1, 1,292,252 residents and people visiting the state have been diagnosed with COVID-19. There were 59,515 positive tests conducted in Jacksonville in the last 10 months.

There were 105 additional deaths in Florida on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 21,718. Two of these were residents of Jacksonville and one was in Clay County.

There were 6,280 people hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon – 479 more hospitalizations of COVID-19 than the day before.

Only 40,372 test results came on Monday, compared to an average of well over 100,000 every day last week, prompting the DOH to add this disclaimer on Tuesday: “As we continue to experience office closures and holidays through January 4, 2021, it is possible dat data could still be affected in the coming days. “

According to the state’s vaccination dashboard: 17,117 first doses were administered on Tuesday, bringing the total in the state to 146,160. Vaccines were given to the first seniors not in long-term care facilities on Tuesday.

Registrations for those 65 and older open Tuesday in Clay County and open Wednesday at 8am in Duval County. St. Johns County said their plan for community vaccinations would be announced shortly. The first vaccines will be administered in Northeast Florida on Monday.