As of Thursday morning, there are 914,333 total cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Florida, an increase of 9,002 since FDOH’s last update Wednesday morning; the second largest daily new case total since Oct. 19.

Test results reported to the Department of Health on Wednesday, Nov. 18, resulted in a 7.58 positivity rate. Positivity rate in new cases has topped 7% for 11 consecutive days (9.99% on Nov. 13). Percent positivity rates in new cases have been over 5% since Oct. 29.

The state saw its highest daily percentage of positive patients July 8, when 18.50 percent of tests reported were positive among 51,686 tests.

Of those testing positive, 52,865 Florida residents have been hospitalized at some point during their illness according to the state. There have been 18,030 deaths (including five that occurred on Wednesday).

In Lee County, 27,306 individuals (+268) have tested positive as of Thursday’s update.

Positive COVID-19 cases in the county have ranged from infants to a 103-year-old. Lee County saw its first two cases on March 7, when a man and a woman, each 77, tested positive. They had traveled to the Dominican Republic.

There have been 553 deaths in Lee County.

As of Thursday afternoon, Lee Health had 111 COVID-19 patients isolated in system inpatient hospitals, including 12 new admissions and 19 discharges since Wednesday.

A total of 3,226 patients who had tested positive have been discharged since the beginning of the pandemic.

On Wednesday, Lee Health had a 15.3% positivity rate on COVID-19 tests processed through Lee Health Labs. This represents Lee Health results only, not Lee County as a whole. Hospital positivity rates tend to be higher as the tests are performed on patients seeking treatment for a health issue, not the general public that includes asymptomatic individuals.

Census as of Thursday afternoon was at 90 (-1)% of staffed operational bed capacity, with 8.8 (+.1)% of those being COVID-19 patients. Staffed operational capacity reflects the number of beds for which the hospital has adequate staffing, not the total number of beds within Lee Health hospitals. Overall bed capacity fluctuates hour to hour as the system discharges patients throughout the day who are ready to go home.

As of Thursday, 76 (+0)% of ventilators and 27 (+2)% of ICU rooms are available for use across Lee Health facilities.

As of Thursday, there were eight (-3) COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 25 (+0) in the intensive care unit.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease. For most individuals, symptoms are mild. For a minority, the disease becomes a type of viral pneumonia with severe complications. Especially at risk are those who are older, those with underlying health conditions and the immune-compromised.

Officials strongly urge all members of the public who are at risk to remain at home so as to limit exposure. All others are urged to observe social distancing and to wear a mask for all public interactions.

For more detail on Florida resident cases, visit the live DOH Dashboard.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control, visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, visit the travel advisory website.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj