COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida dip below 6,800

Florida hospitals continue to treat fewer COVID-19 patients, with the number Monday less than half of what it was at the beginning of the month. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service said 6,731 patients with COVID-19 were reported to be in 260 Florida hospitals Monday. By comparison, the state had 15,177 hospitalized people with COVID-19 on Sept. 1. 

Overall, about 78.7 percent of inpatient hospital beds were being used Monday in the state, according to the federal data. Florida saw huge increases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in July and August as the highly contagious delta variant spread across the state.

RELATED: Hospitals, nursing homes brace for staff shortages as state COVID-19 vaccine deadlines loom

The numbers of cases and hospitalizations have gradually decreased in recent weeks. 

The Florida Department of Health reported Friday that 53,580 residents had died of COVID-19 since the pandemic started in early 2020.

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