Florida Just Had Biggest Single-Day Spike in COVID-19 Cases (March 25, 2020)

A defiant DeSantis continues to snub calls for a shutdown, even as Florida charts the biggest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases on record. Since 7 pm last night, officials have identified 510 additional cases, taking the statewide total to 1,977. 

– Gypsy C. Gallardo for Power Broker Media Group

The Tampa Bay regional total now stands at 268 COVID-19 positives across the six counties being tracked by Power Broker Media (a single day increase of 27%). Hillsborough County alone claims nearly as many as all other bay area counties combined. By day’s end, case totals were as follows:

• Hillsborough County – 123 cases
• Pinellas County – 54 cases
• Polk County – 15 cases
• Manatee County – 26 cases
• Sarasota County – 32 cases
• Pasco County – 18 cases

The counties above now have four COVID-19 related deaths reported (though this figure may be sketchy, given reports this morning about the mistaken identification of a death in Pinellas County yesterday). The virus is thought to be responsible for at least 23 deaths across Florida as of this evening.

The health community has administered 18,289 tests statewide.

Meanwhile, the #ShutDownFlorida petition at Change.org has 247,000 signatures urging Governor DeSantis to issue statwide orders. To lend your voice, sign the petition at this link.

Here is a running daily tally of Florida cases since Power Broker Media began issuing daily reports:

• March 20 – 563 positives (up 131 from day before)
• March 21 – 763 (up 200 from day before)
• March 22 – 1,007 (up 244 from day before)
• March 23 – 1,227 (up 220 from day before)
• March 24 – 1,467 (up 240 from day before)
• March 25 – 1,977 (up 510 from day before)

Tonight’s COVID-19 Dashboard Map of Florida Cases  

Data through March 19 from ClickOrlando.com timeline; for March 20 onward, data are from Florida Department of Health. To share news, views and resources with us, email reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com.