Department of Health delays release of case numbers
Matthew Peddie, WMFE
The Florida Department of Health’s daily coronavirus report was delayed by more than six hours today.
The report is normally released around 11 a.m. The health department released the data just before 5:30, showing 2,159 new cases. The latest report brings the COVID-19 death toll among Florida residents to 16,210, adding 105 new deaths to yesterday's total.
The Department of Health did not give an explanation for the delay, but in a press release, Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said the health department will conduct a more thorough review of all COVID-19 fatalities reported to the state.
The press release said there were 95 deaths reported to the state Tuesday.
Rivkees said 16 of the deaths reported yesterday had happened two months after the deceased individuals had tested positive for coronavirus, and 11 of the deaths happened more than a month ago.
Governor Ron DeSantis has reportedly discussed scaling back the frequency of the state’s case reports, but spokesman Fred Piccolo tweeted that there was no immediate plan to change the frequency of reports.
Tuesday's fatality report brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths among Florida residents to 16,200. Some 203 non residents have died from COVID-19.
More than 760,000 coronavirus cases have been reported statewide since the spring.
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