State reports 11,454 new cases, 280 resident deaths this week

The state Department of Health reported 11,454 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 2,300,786. With 280 more fatalities, 37,265 Florida residents are now dead.

The state last week announced its COVID-19 reports would be released weekly on Friday. It relies on actual dates for both deaths and new cases. The Sentinel is choosing to calculate the weekly numbers above the same way it did previously, by subtracting the cumulative count from the one that came before it. This week’s data, the second such weekly report, covers cases and deaths that occurred from June 4-10.

A new feature is the per 100,000 count, which is based on the actual date the case was opened. For every 100,000 residents in the latest seven-day period, there were 55.3 new cases in Florida. In Central Florida, Orange County had 62.8, Osceola 90.1, Seminole 56.5, Lake 42.4, Sumter 26.2, Brevard 40.1, Volusia 44.5 and Polk 56.6.

One change with the shift from daily to weekly reports, numbers now reflect a seven-day period based on the actual date of a case or death. Previously the Sentinel based the dates on when the health department reported them. Deaths can take several days or weeks to be reported. Case counts continue to be adjusted after initial numbers are released. Also new for the Sentinel is reporting only Florida resident cases — instead of residents and non-residents combined — because the non-resident numbers are no longer available in the new reports.

Across the state, 1,820 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 for the seven-day period ending June 8, according to the latest White House report. In comparison, 2,090 were hospitalized the previous week.

Statewide, 10,460,797 residents, or 55% of ages 12 and up, have received at least one vaccination shot, including 8,659,077, or 45%, who have completed their shot regimens. The count is a snapshot through June 10.

Of those who have received at least the first dose, 3,769,674, or 82%, are over the age of 65.

Statewide, the latest weekly positivity rate reported by the Florida Department of Health was 3.4%, but that’s for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.

Central Florida added 2,533 resident cases this week, based on actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 421,822: 900 more in Orange for 141,941; 322 more in Polk for 71,204; 359 in Osceola for 45,916; 244 in Volusia for 44,491; 245 in Brevard for 42,604; 268 in Seminole for 35,467; 161 in Lake for 30,765; and 34 in Sumter for 9,434.

Deaths are not available by county in the new weekly report.

Have symptoms?

Are you feeling stressed or depressed from the COVID19 outbreak? There are resources available for you. You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or visit https:// www.samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness

How to protect yourself

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with people in poor health.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Follow these recommendations for using a face mask: The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Follow these guidelines for using a cloth mask.

Questions? Here’s who to call

The Florida Department of Health has set up a call center to answer questions about coronavirus. There’s a number for Orange County, too.

The Florida Department of Health’s number is 1-866-779-6121 and is available Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents may also email questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

In Orange County, the number to call is 407-723-5004; it’s available Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For mental-health help, here is a list of resources.