Florida's COVID-19 death toll is just 10 short of 30,000.
The state recorded another 166 deaths on Thursday, bringing the total to 29,990. If daily reports from the past several weeks are any indication, it’s almost certain the state will surpass 30,000 on Friday.
The Florida Department of Health also reported 5,117 new positive coronavirus tests, with 958 of those in the greater Tampa Bay region.
Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in the region hovered around the same levels, while they declined statewide to 4,368.
More than 2.5 million people have received a coronavirus vaccine in Florida, with more than 1.2 million of those receiving both doses.
State Totals (as of Thursday, Feb. 18):
- Positive Tests – 1,849,744
- Deaths – 29,990
Daily Changes:
- State: Positive Tests – 5,117 | Deaths – 166
- Greater Tampa Bay Region: Positive Tests – 958| Deaths - 45
Daily Testing (statewide):
- Tests Received – 93,578 | Positivity Rate – 6.40%
ABOUT THE DATA: The Florida Department of Health produces a daily update around 11 a.m. with information about COVID-19 cases and deaths that were reported over the previous 24 hours. Cases and deaths in the report may have happened days or weeks earlier, according to state officials. The state separately tracks cases and deaths that occurred on specific days on its dashboard and those totals are frequently updated.
Florida COVID-19 daily total of positive tests/deaths for the last two weeks:
- Feb. 18: 5,117/166
- Feb. 17: 7,342/165
- Feb. 16: 6,297/225
- Feb. 15: 3,615/159
- Feb. 14: 5,436/96
- Feb. 13: 7,515/118
- Feb. 12: 7,617/190
- Feb. 11: 8,525/180
- Feb. 10: 7,537/165
- Feb. 9: 7,023/239
- Feb. 8: 5,737/126
- Feb. 7: 6,624/103
- Feb. 6: 7,486/145
- Feb. 5: 11,543/215
