Record number of COVID-19 patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

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Sarasota Memorial Hospital had a record 50 COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, another sign that the local outbreak is in dangerous new territory.

Both Sarasota and Manatee counties have been setting daily records for new coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

Many of those infected are younger and less at risk of becoming severely ill, raising hopes that the rise in cases would not strain the local hospital system.

But Sarasota Memorial's COVID-19 caseload has been steadily increasing since early June.

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The hospital had 43 COVID-19 patients on May 10 and May 11, the largest tally before Tuesday's new record. The COVID-19 patient count dropped through the end of May. On June 1 Sarasota Memorial was down to 10 COVID-19 patients, with none in the intensive care unit.

The recent spike in COVID-19 inpatients at Sarasota Memorial corresponds with Florida emerging as a hot spot for the coronavirus.

The state has one of the worst outbreaks in the nation and the big new wave of cases has alarmed policymakers.

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The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation banned drinking at bars last week and many Florida communities, including the cities of Sarasota and Holmes Beach, have implemented mandatory mask policies for certain public settings. Beaches in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach are being closed over the Fourth of July weekend to prevent big crowds.

Last week Sarasota Memorial reversed course and reinstated a ban on visitors to limit the possibility of coronavirus transmission within the hospital.

While 50 COVID-19 inpatients is a new record for Sarasota Memorial, those infected with the coronavirus still make up just 8.4% of the hospital's 594 inpatients.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration reported Tuesday that 94% of total beds and 83% of intensive care unit beds at Sarasota Memorial were occupied. The hospital has the capability of expanding ICU space if needed.

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