State reports 79 deaths linked to coronavirus, 4,200 new cases

ORLANDO, Fla. — Another 79 people statewide have died from illness linked to COVID-19, the Florida Department of Health said Thursday.

Florida’s coronavirus-related death toll now stands at 16,854, a figure which includes 206 people who died in Florida but were not state residents.

Of the latest statewide deaths, 13 were reported in Central Florida, including 10 in Orange County, two in Brevard County and one in Lake County.

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The number of new positive cases reported Thursday totaled 4,198 statewide, on par with Wednesday’s data which revealed 4,115 new cases.

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Since the pandemic began, data shows health officials have recorded 794,624 cases of COVID-19 cases throughout Florida.

An additional 34,213 negative tests Thursday brought the statewide total of negative test results to 5,296,941.

Video: Orange County Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard shows increase in cases among students, staff members The Orange County Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard shows an increase in cases among students and staff members.

While it’s known as a respiratory virus, doctors believe the coronavirus can directly infect the heart muscle and cause other problems leading to heart damage.

Experts also say the virus can lead to blood clots that that might cause heart attacks.

Click here to learn more about how COVID-19 might your affect heart.

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

Orange: 45,941 (+186) - 559 deaths (+10)

Osceola: 14,203 (+89) - 202 deaths (+0)

Seminole: 10,239 (+51) - 241 deaths (+0)

Polk: 22,960 (+108) - 615 deaths (+0)

Volusia: 12,755 (+85) - 318 deaths (+0)

Brevard: 11,502 (+184) - 370 deaths (+2)

Flagler: 2,117 (+2) - 38 deaths (+0)

Lake: 8,613 (+33) - 228 deaths (+1)

Marion: 10,819 (+24) - 347 deaths (-1)