COVID-19 Deaths

With COVID-19 case rates rising in Florida, vaccine levels remain low. Experts say our relationship with the virus has changed. And that’s leaving them concerned.

According to state data, 334 deaths have already been recorded this month. In 2023, 8,403 COVID deaths were recorded in Florida.

The most COVID-linked deaths this year have been reported in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach County and Broward counties, according to the latest health department data.

Jason Salemi, a USF associate professor of epidemiology, told The Florida Roundup the data allows people to make “informed decisions” and fosters a sense of trust, though he questioned the cost.

The WHO chief remains optimistic but urges caution, noting that testing and sequencing rates remain low, vaccination gaps between rich and poor countries are still wide, and new variants continue to proliferate.

The numbers of new Covid-19 cases reported Friday were the highest totals during the past 10 weeks.

One expert expects the state to hit a peak, and then start to see lower hospitalizations and cases.

People who worked in labor and service jobs were a lot more likely to die from COVID-19. Researchers say improving ventilation and offering paid sick leave are some ways to protect workers in the future.

The virus became the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and caused so many to die in the prime of life that the country experienced the biggest drop in life expectancy since World War II.

The state reported at 74,060 residents had died as of a Thursday count, up from 73,830 reported two weeks earlier.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 continues to drop, but the number of deaths recorded remains stubbornly high.

The state hasn't reported this many COVID-19 deaths in one week since the week ending Oct. 7, 2021.