Health

Florida reports lower increase in coronavirus-related deaths day after state announces new review process

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — On Thursday, the Florida Department of Health reported that 57 more people in the state have died from COVID-19.

That is about half the deaths reported Tuesday, which could be because the state is doing more investigation into deaths caused by the virus.

READ: Florida may not see major surge in COVID-19 cases fall, local doctor says

The department said timely and accurate information is its top priority, which is why they department says it will be looking deeper into deaths that doctors say were caused by COVID-19.

While the number of positive cases have been reported in a fairly timely fashion, the number of deaths are often delayed anywhere from a few days to a few months.

READ: Thursday’s coronavirus updates: 5,000 new cases, 57 new deaths reported in Florida

Of the 95 deaths reported on Wednesday, the state said 11 were more than 30 days old, 16 died at least two months after testing positive, and five died at least three months after a positive diagnosis.

State officials said they hope the new process will help deaths be reported in a timelier fashion.

READ: Timber Creek High School joins growing list of schools closed due to COVID-19 cases


Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.