Florida reports 187 new coronavirus deaths, 8,500 new cases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida reported 187 new coronavirus deaths on Saturday, bringing the state's total to 8,238.

That pushes the average number of reported deaths over the last seven days to 156, down from a high of 185. There were more than 8,500 new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the state's total to nearly 527,000 cases.

The number of people who are hospitalized because of the virus continued to decline. There were 6,836 hospitalizations late Saturday morning compared to 7,174 the day before. Miami-Dade County by far had the most COVID-19 hospital patients with 1,558.

The numbers were reported the same day statewide in-person early voting began ahead of Florida's Aug. 18 primary election. Florida has no statewide races on the ballot. Voters will largely be voting choosing party nominees for Congress and the state Legislature, as well as local races.

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