4 More Pinellas Residents Die; Positive Percentage Up Slightly

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Four more residents have died due to the coronavirus, increasing the number of total deaths in Pinellas County to 792.

On Wednesday, the Pinellas County Administrator Barry A. Burton extended its State of Local Emergency for the coronavirus through Oct. 23.

The Florida Department of Health reported 113 new coronavirus cases in Pinellas County on Oct. 15, bringing the count to 23,623 since the beginning of the pandemic. To date, 236,780 people have been tested and 2,409 hospitalized.

The extension keeps in effect a county ordinance requiring face coverings within public places and restaurants and bars to serve only patrons who are seated. Public health officials are closely monitoring a recent increase in the seven-day rolling averages for new coronavirus cases and percentage of positive tests. The current percent positive from Wednesday is 4.05 percent.

“We encourage residents to continue to protect themselves from COVID-19 by wearing their face coverings, practicing social distancing when possible, washing hands often, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and following up with their primary care provider for routine checkups,” said Florida Department of Health in Pinellas Director Dr. Ulyee Choe.

The Pinellas County Commission will discuss the State of Local Emergency at its next regular virtual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.

This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.