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The Florida Department of Health reported 5,922 new coronavirus cases on Friday.
That brings the total number of cases in the state to close to 1,900,000 since the start of the pandemic.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and analyzed by NPR, the average daily caseload over the past week was around 6,080 cases.
That represents a one percent decrease in daily cases compared to last week and a 22 percent decrease compared with two weeks ago.
The state also added 146 new coronavirus-related deaths on Friday bringing the death toll to 30,624 residents since mid-March.
More than 79,000 residents have been hospitalized in the state with the disease.
About 2,800,000 people, mostly seniors 65 and up and healthcare workers, have been inoculated with the first dose of the vaccine.
Four new federally operated vaccine sites are expected to open next week in Florida including one at Valencia College West in Orlando.
Here's a rundown of COVID-related stories from the week:
Sumter County Health Department announces Eventbrite signup
By Joe Byrnes, WMFE
The Global Medical Response vaccination site in Sumter County will be moving from Sumterville to St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood on March 8th.
That will make the appointment-only site much more convenient for Villages residents.
The Sumter County Health Department also announced today that it will temporarily use an Eventbrite signup for the 1,800 first doses it plans at the Wildwood Community Center over the next two weeks.
Seniors can register beginning at noon tomorrow using a link on the health department website.
The Eventbrite signup is a temporary solution. Staff have been working through a list of seniors who registered earlier on the state site, but out of 400 called only 16 still needed an appointment.
While filtering through those registrations, the department wants to make sure it is scheduling at least 360 a day.
Federal Vaccine Site, AdventHealth Pop-Up Site Will Distribute Thousands Of Vaccines Next Week
Four vaccine sites will open in Orange County next week. Read more here.
This Is Savannah. She’s 22 Years Old, A Heart Transplant Recipient And A COVID Survivor. And She Wants You To Get Vaccinated.
AdventHealth Central Florida doctors are encouraging transplant recipients to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when more shots become available to the general public. Read more here.
CDC Launches Web Tool To Help Americans Find COVID-19 Vaccines
The scramble to secure a COVID-19 vaccine appointment is chaotic and fierce. There are not yet enough doses for everyone who’s eligible and wants to get vaccinated. As frustration rises, the federal government hasn’t offered much besides assurances that things will get better and appeals for calm. Readmore here.
DeSantis: When Senior Demand For Covid-19 Vaccine Drops, Residents As Young As 55 Will Be Eligible
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday in Brooksville that the next step in expanding vaccinations could be offering it to residents as young as 55. Read more here.
