Florida reports over 5K COVID-19 cases, largest single-day increase since mid-August

The Florida Department of Health reported 5,557 coronavirus cases, making it the largest single-day increase since mid-August.

According to the state's daily update, the total number of cases in Florida is now 768,091.

The number of Florida resident deaths has reached 16,267, an increase of 57 since Wednesday's update. In addition, a total of 203 non-Floridians have died in the state. 

With reported COVID-19 deaths of Florida residents topping 16,000 this week, the state Department of Health said Wednesday that information about fatalities needs a “more rigorous review.”

RELATED: State raises questions about COVID death data

Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, who serves as the department’s secretary, said the state took a deeper look at 95 COVID-19 deaths.

In 16 cases, it found more than a two-month time frame between when people tested positive for COVID-19 and the actual deaths. Also, another 11 deaths were more than 30 days old when they were reported to the state, according to the health department.

RELATED: Is Florida considering not releasing daily COVID-19 numbers?

"During a pandemic, the public must be able to rely on accurate public health data to make informed decisions. To ensure the accuracy of COVID-19 related deaths, the department will be performing additional reviews of all deaths.” Rivkees said in a prepared statement. “Timely and accurate data remains a top priority of the Department of Health.”

U.S. health officials have also redefined what counts as close contact with someone with COVID-19 to include briefer but repeated encounters. 

For months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said close contact meant spending a solid 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for coronavirus. On Wednesday, the CDC changed it to a total of 15 minutes or more — so shorter but repeated contacts that add up to 15 minutes over a 24-hour period now count. 

The CDC advises anyone who has been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient to quarantine for two weeks.

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