What to Know
- Florida set a record high in daily reported COVID-19 cases for the third day in a row Saturday
- With 2,581 new cases, the state's total rose to 73,552, according to the Florida Department of Health
- Another 54 new deaths related to the virus were confirmed, bringing the state's total to 2,925
Florida's number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by more than 2,500 Saturday, the third day in a row that the state reported a record daily high in reported cases.
With 2,581 new COVID-19 cases, the state's total rose to 73,552, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health. The state had reported 1,902 new cases on Friday and 1,698 on Thursday.
Another 54 new deaths related to the virus were also confirmed Saturday, bringing the state's total to 2,925.
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Miami-Dade County's case total rose to 21,633 as the county's virus-related deaths rose to 822.
In Broward County, there were 8,864 COVID-19 cases reported with 357 virus-related deaths.
Palm Beach County had 8,442 cases and 425 deaths. Monroe County had 128 cases and 4 reported deaths.
The numbers reported by the state Department of Health mark the 10th out of 11 straight days in which new cases have topped 1,000. Gov. Ron DeSantis and local officials began relaxing rules on businesses, beaches, theme parks and gatherings in May.
Statewide, more than 1,371,400 people have been tested for COVID-19, with the percent positive remaining around 5.4%. More than 11,800 hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been reported in Florida to-date.
The surge in positive coronavirus cases comes as Florida is set to become a hub for major sports leagues. The NBA, Major League Soccer, the Amateur Athletics Union Junior Olympics and others plan to hold games and events in Florida, potentially drawing thousands of people to the state from around the world.
DeSantis, a Republican and close ally of President Donald Trump, has said he does not think the reopening of the state is connected to the increase in coronavirus cases. On Friday, DeSantis said at a news conference that much of the surge can be attributed to increased testing for the virus — especially in younger people.
“What we’re seeing is of the people that are testing positive way more are in the (age) 25 to 45 than was happening two months ago,” DeSantis said. “The clinical consequences of them testing positive is usually very, very modest because they are not in the high-risk groups.”
Overall, as of Saturday, Florida has tested about 1.4 million people for the coronavirus, with about 5.4% testing positive, according to the Department of Health.
The vast majority of people who test positive for the coronavirus recover and many never experience any symptoms. The disease is particularly dangerous for the elderly and people who have pre-existing health problems.
