Florida COVID-19 cases jump by more than 17,000 in 48 hours

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – With an increase of 17,344 cases of COVID-19 over two days, Florida is on track to surpass one million cases of the virus by the start of next week – the third state in the country to reach this questionable milestone.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the state Department of Health intentionally omitted a coronavirus data notification day at Thanksgiving. The only time Florida provided a daily update was due to technical difficulties.

Duval County’s increase of 1,037 cases on Friday would be an average of 518.5 over two days. The last time Jacksonville had so many cases in two days was July 19-20.

Daily increase in cases in Florida and Duval County since June 1

Friday’s report increased the number of cases in Florida since March 1 to 979,021. Given that the state averages just under 8,000 cases daily, the state will likely surpass one million by Monday.

There were 114 additional COVID-19-related deaths in Florida in Friday’s report, including seven more in Duval County, and one additional death each in Alachua, Bradford, Clay and Nassau counties.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration reported 3,748 ongoing hospitalizations with the primary diagnosis of COVID-19 on Friday afternoon. Statewide, 25% of ICU beds are available, although Clay and Putnam counties have ICU availability of 20% or less.