Florida virus death toll reaches 2,096

The state announced 44 new reported deaths pushing the death toll to 2,096, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Wednesday’s update also showed 527 more positive cases of COVID-19 to bring the statewide total to 47,471. Testing has increased to 772,668 people to date, with 93.9% coming up negative.

The new fatalities included one in Osceola County, one in Seminole, one in Sumter and three in

Volusia County, bringing the eight-county Central Florida death toll to 189.

Central Florida cases increased Wednesday by 48 for a total of 5,077. That included nine new cases in Orange for a total of 1,708; 20 in Polk for 786; seven in Osceola for 636; six in Volusia for 618; two in Seminole for 444; one in Brevard for 372; three in Lake for 260; and none in Sumter for 253.

South Florida, home to 28.9% of Florida’s population, remains the hardest hit region, accounting for 57.3% of cases with 27,217 total. That number includes 207 new cases reported Wednesday among MiamiDade ,Broward (6,407) and Palm Beach (4,776) counties. The region also has the most deaths at 1,165, 55.6% of state fatalities. The threecounty region saw and additional 21 deaths and 207 cases Wednesday.