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TOPLINE
Florida reported its lowest coronavirus case increase in seven weeks on Monday, continuing what has been a downward trend in coronavirus stats for a state that has long been the nation’s coronavirus epicenter.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis puts on his facemask during a press conference to address the rise of … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
The state reported 4,247 new coronavirus cases on Monday, its lowest single-day increase since June 22.
But there’s a big caveat—testing dropped significantly over the past week, which seems to be caused in large part by Hurricane Isaias, which skirted just east of the state but led to the closure of testing sites as a precaution.
Hospitalizations are continuing on a steady pace downward, as they’ve been since July 22.
Deaths continue to remain high in Florida, with the state reporting 91 new deaths on Monday, but it seems even the death trend might be starting to decline after peaking at a record of 257 deaths on July 31.
KEY BACKGROUND
Florida has been the epicenter for the summer coronavirus surge in the U.S., which pushed new cases nationwide to record highs last month. On July 12, the state shattered a national record for new cases in a single day, at over 15,000. Spikes in hospitalizations and deaths would follow, with the state going on to report some of the highest daily death tolls since the spring coronavirus surge ravaged the Northeast.
TANGENT
Florida isn’t the only large state where the recent coronavirus crisis seems to have peaked. Cases and hospitalizations have dropped in hard-hit states like California, Texas and Arizona, though deaths, which lag behind other metrics, continue to remain high.
BIG NUMBER
40 — That’s what the reported median age of infection was Monday, which is the lowest the state has reported since July 11. But it’s still well above what the median age was during much of June.
FURTHER READING
Florida Shuts Testing Centres As Storm Looms, Just As State Shatters Coronavirus Deaths Record (Forbes)
Florida Shatters National Record With Over 15,000 New Coronavirus Cases (Forbes)
Florida Reported Over 200 Coronavirus Deaths Wednesday—Most Of Any State Since May (Forbes)
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