Coronavirus cases in Florida pass 30,500; death toll surges to 1,046, Florida Department of Health says

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health published the new numbers for positive cases of coronavirus on Friday afternoon.

The latest numbers from state health officials show that there are 30,533 cases of COVID-19 in Florida with a death toll of 1,046. They also reported a total of 4,817 coronavirus hospitalizations.

Of the positive cases, 29,707 are Florida residents. The others are non-Florida residents who tested positive and are isolated in the state.

The new numbers showed an increase of 885 positive cases and 59 deaths since Thursday evening.

Below is an interactive Florida Department of Health dashboard, showing a county-by-county breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases statewide.

MORE NEWS: Report: Florida may not be safe to reopen until mid-June

Florida remains under a "stay-at-home" order and it will continue until April 30th. Residents must stay at home except to complete essential errands and activities. Essential businesses may also stay open but must enforce social distancing. 

Governor DeSantis has assembled a 'Re-Open Florida' task force and they are currently working to assemble a three-phase plan to reopen Florida and its economy. A short, medium, and long-term plan must be assembled.

Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose, or mouth. 

As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

MORE NEWS: Task Force meeting over weekend to finalize recommendations to reopen state

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so avoiding exposure is crucial. The Florida Department of Health advises the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 

The CDC is now urging that all Americans in areas hit hardest by the novel coronavirus wear some type of facial covering while out in public.

MORE NEWS: Don't inject disinfectants, Lysol warns as Trump raises idea

If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be.

If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Tune in to FOX 35 News for the latest coronavirus news.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to tune in to FOX 35 News