TOPLINE
Florida set a new record for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, one of several metrics showing that the state’s coronavirus crisis is still worsening, even as Governor Ron DeSantis claimed at a press conference Monday afternoon that the situation in the state had “stabilized”.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference on the rise in coronavirus cases in his state … [+]
KEY FACTS
Florida reported 132 deaths on Tuesday, a massive increase from the 35 new deaths the state added on Monday and broke the old daily record of 120, set on July 9.
The key metric DeSantis said showed that the state had “stabilized,” which is the rate of positive results, also took a huge leap in the wrong direction.
On Tuesday, the positivity rate rose above 15% again, reversing what had been a downward trend, and well above Monday’s rate, which was below 11.5%.
The average age of infection is another statistic that DeSantis has continually cited to back up his argument that the state’s public health crisis is overblown, but also headed in the wrong direction.
That age has now risen to 41, the highest number the state has reported since it began publicly publishing the statistic on a daily basis, starting in mid-June, and hospitalizations are on the rise.
There were 9,261 new cases reported in Florida on Tuesday, which is a decrease from the past few days and well below Sunday’s national record of more than 15,000, but there was also less evidence reported on Tuesday than any other day since July 8.
KEY FUND
Florida is now a top contributor to the increase in cases in the US, and new cases in the state are outpacing even what New York had reported about the height of the pandemic in March and April. The state was one of the most aggressive in its economic reopening, but all bars in Florida have been ordered to close once again. However, unlike many other states with a spike in cases, DeSantis has not mandated the use of masks statewide and ignored questions about a mask mandate at Monday’s press conference.
What to see
The southern part of the state, particularly Miami-Dade County, has been the hardest hit by the virus. County Mayor Carlos Giménez appeared alongside DeSantis at the press conference on Monday, but took a much more sober tone, warning that there will be more company closings if current trends continue.
BIG NUMBER
4,277. That’s the state’s death toll so far, during the course of the pandemic.
OTHER READINGS
Florida breaks national record with more than 15,000 new cases of coronavirus (Forbes)
Florida Governor Believes Coronavirus Crisis Has ‘Stabilized’ (Forbes)
