FL Reports More Than 15,000 Deaths From COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida health officials reported 2,582 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, and 317 more deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours. That comes a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced 400,000 rapid coronavirus tests will be distributed this week to senior living facilities, schools and state testing sites.

"If a student is either sent to school sick or becomes sick in school, you take the student out and isolate them," the governor said. "But then, if you can get a 15-minute test and you get the negative, then you don't have to worry about isolating some of these other students."

The number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 722,707 on Wednesday, up from 720,125 on Tuesday.

By Wednesday, the total number of deaths in Florida increased by 317 from 14,767 to 15,084, reported by the Florida Department of Health.

The number of deaths includes Florida-resident deaths and non-Florida resident deaths.

The second week of August compared to the second week of September, shows a 74 percent decrease in the average number of reported COVID-19 related deaths.

The total number of hospitalizations reported in the state by the Florida Department of Health is 45,259.

For more information on the number of cases in the county where you live, visit The Florida Department of Health, and look towards the bottom and click on "Cases By County," and then click on "Select A County," in the top right of the screen where you can choose your county.

Related story: FL Providing Rapid Coronavirus Tests to Senior Homes, Schools