By the Numbers 

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 2,275,365 total cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Florida, an increase of 3,263 since the Florida Department of Health’s last update Monday.             

Test results reported to the Department of Health on Monday, May 10, resulted in a 5% positivity rate among 78,746 tests.             

The state saw its highest daily percentage of positive patients on Dec. 29 when 22.75% percent of tests reported were positive among 62,303 tests.             

The average positivity rate in new cases over the last week is 4.97% (there was a 5.84% percent average the week before).           

Of those testing positive, 92,348 Florida residents have been hospitalized at some point during their illness according to the state.             

The death toll increased by 49 from Monday’s report, bringing the total number of deaths, both resident and non-resident, to 36,547.       

According to the state, hospitalizations in Lee County make up 3% of all positive cases. At the state level, 4% of all positive cases result in hospitalization. The percentage of deaths statewide account for 2% of all cases and, in Lee County, stand at 1% of positive cases.     

The total number of persons vaccinated as of Tuesday throughout Florida was 9,350,957 with 339,354 being in Lee County. According to the state, 7,156,797 individuals have their vaccine series completed, 268,422 of those being in Lee County.              

In Lee County, 71,399 individuals (+157) have tested positive as of Tuesday’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 977 deaths in Lee County, an increase of four since Monday’s report.             

As of Tuesday afternoon, Lee Health had 103 COVID-19 patients isolated in system inpatient hospitals, including 15 new admissions and 15 discharges since Monday. Over the weekend, Lee Health saw 33 new COVID-19 admissions and 35 discharges.             

On Monday, Lee Health had a 14.5% 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.             

A total of 6,098 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from Lee Health facilities since the beginning of the pandemic.              

Census as of Tuesday afternoon was at 95% of staffed operational bed capacity, with 7.4% 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 Tuesday, 75% of ventilators and 16% of ICU rooms are available for use across Lee Health facilities.             

As of Tuesday, there were eight COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 21 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