Florida reports almost 3,700 new coronavirus cases, 74 virus-related deaths since yesterday

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health reported more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases Friday.

Since the pandemic began, the state reported 771,780 cases of the virus. Health officials reported a total of 3,689 new COVID-19 cases Friday.

Of the new cases, 694 were reported in Central Florida counties.

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

Despite the recent numbers, doctors from AdventHealth said they are optimistic Florida may not see a major spike in cases this fall.

“I think we are over the hump. Case in point, at least in the state of Florida, we’ve leveled things out,” Dr. Michael Keating said.

Keating said he thinks with the precautions in place, Florida can avoid the “storm” of cases the state saw in previous months.

READ: DeSantis loosens restrictions on visits to long-term care facility; we explain the changes

On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he will loosen restrictions on visitors to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in Florida.

Last month, the governor announced visitations at facilities would be allowed to resume, but visitors had to make appointments and wear personal protection equipment.

Under the new rules, facilities will be required to allow outdoor visits, even if a facility has reported a case of COVID-19.

Health officials reported 74 coronavirus-related deaths in the state Friday. Thirty of the 75 deaths were reported in Central Florida.

According to the latest data released by the state, the number of COVID-19-related deaths of residents and nonresidents now stands at 16,544.

In the most recent data, Osceola, Seminole and Marion counties reported a negative number of deaths. It is not clear why the reported deaths were taken out of the data.

READ: Sweet 16 birthday party likely led to Timber Creek High School cases, health officials say

See a county-by-county breakdown of total (and new) cases below, and click here for an interactive map of cases statewide:

Orange: 44,605 (+170) - 537 deaths (+5)

Osceola: 13,778 (+75) - 185 deaths (-1)

Seminole: 9,928 (+34) - 235 deaths (-1)

Polk: 22,332 (+76) - 602 deaths (+9)

Volusia: 12,288 (+108) - 316 deaths (+1)

Brevard: 10,849 (+102) - 367 deaths (+15)

Flagler: 2,052 (+17) - 37 deaths (+0)

Lake: 8,387 (+51) - 227 deaths (+0)

Marion: 10,630 (+37) - 341 deaths (-1)

Sumter: 2,826 (+24) - 83 deaths (+0)

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

Sweet 16 birthday party likely led to Timber Creek High School cases, health officials say After closing another school due to COVID-19 cases, Orange County health and school officials responded to comments by the governor against such closures. (Alexa Lorenzo/WFTV)

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

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