COVID cases jump to 551

Posted on August 5, 2020

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 155 new coronavirus cases in Taylor County on Tuesday, recording a nearly 40% jump that brought the total number of positive cases in the “Tree Capital of the South” to 551.

The new one-day record number of positive tests shattered the county’s previous high of 31 and is mainly due to a large number of state prisoners testing positive at Taylor Correctional Institute (TCI).

According to DOH-Taylor Director Padraic Juarez, the “drastic increase” is linked to the local state prison facility now reporting that 261 inmates and seven staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

An additional 1,558 inmates are awaiting test results.

“The report of these cases raises the total to 551 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taylor County. DOH-Taylor expects this number to continue to rise as testing in this facility continues,” Juarez said.

With 268 total TCI-linked cases to date, the local prison’s positive COVID-19 cases now make up nearly 50% of Taylor County’s numbers (48.6%).

Tuesday’s update also included the newly-reported death of a 62-year-old male and one additional hospitalization, bringing the number of Taylor Countians who have been hospitalized since the outbreak began to 19 (3% of all positive

cases).

Factoring in the latest reported coronavirus-related death brings the local fatality rate to 0.7% (four deaths out of a total of 551 total positive cases).

To date, Taylor County has reported administering 3,451 COVID-19 tests, with 16% of those tests yielding a positive result.

DOH-Taylor continues to offer drive-thru testing for Taylor County residents Monday through Friday by appointment only, with appointments available as late as 7 p.m.

Testing has also expanded to include pediatric patients on Wednesdays.

For information and availability, contact DOH-Taylor at (850) 584-5087.

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