/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f0791dbb48ed80006a8d89c/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=4200&cropY1=256&cropY2=2618&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Florida Hits 15,000 Covid Deaths As Case Declines Slow")
Topline
Florida has become the fourth state to hit the grim milestone of 15,000 reported coronavirus deaths, which comes as a long-term decline in new cases appears to be slowing down, almost two weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) allowed bars and restaurants to reopen at 100% capacity and essentially forbade localities from enforcing mask mandates.
People celebrate Independence Day by visiting the beach on July 4, 2020 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. … [+]
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Key Facts
Since March 1, 15,084 Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Florida, including 139 on Wednesday.
Florida had one of the worst outbreaks of any state during the summer, setting a national record with 15,300 new cases in one day on July 12.
Daily new cases, hospitalizations and deaths steadily dropped through the second half of the summer and into the fall, but the declines seem to have stopped in recent days.
Hospitalizations have climbed this week after steady declines starting in late July.
New York, California and Texas as the only other states where the confirmed death toll has topped 15,000.
New Jersey may have also reached that mark, but 1,787 deaths there are considered “probable” Covid-19 deaths; 14,360 have been confirmed.
Key Background
Despite dire statistics throughout the summer, DeSantis continually said the public health crisis in the state was being overblown, insisting the state stay the course with many aspects of what was one of the most aggressive reopening efforts in the nation. DeSantis has since sped up that reopening process, announcing Sept. 25 that bars and restaurants in Florida could reopen at full capacity—making it the largest state to allow that, and leaving public health experts concerned about a renewed outbreak.
Chief Critic
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the state is “really asking for trouble” after its reopening effort, saying that DeSantis’ decision was “very concerning.” “When you’re dealing with community spread, and you have the kind of congregate setting where people get together, particularly without masks, you’re really asking for trouble. Now’s the time actually to double down a bit,” Fauci said on ABC’s Good Morning America after DeSantis’ announcement.
Further Reading
Florida Shatters National Record With Over 15,000 New Coronavirus Cases (Forbes)
Covid Cases Spike In Florida As Bars And Restaurants Reopen At Full Capacity (Forbes)
Florida Sets Coronavirus Death Record, Hours After Gov. DeSantis Said State Had ‘Stabilized’ (Forbes)
Florida Governor: ‘We’re Not Shutting Down’ After Record Coronavirus Infection Spike (Forbes)
Florida Governor: ‘We’re Not Shutting Down’ After Record Coronavirus Infection Spike
Fauci Says Florida Is ‘Asking For Trouble’ By Fully Reopening Restaurants And Bars (Forbes)
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