Florida breaks its single-day record for coronavirus Friday with 4,049 new cases after reopening the state as US reports its highest numbers since May 1 with 30,000 new infections across the nation
Florida reported 4,049 new cases of COVID-19 Friday - the highest daily total yet in a state that has now seen a consistent resurgence since reopening.
The coronavirus outbreak continued its fevered escalation in Florida on Saturday, as Gov. Ron DeSantis again tried to calms fears over another record-breaking spike in infections since reopening restaurants, bars, gyms and other public places.
Across the United States there were 30,000 new infections Friday - the highest numbers since May 1, according to figures reported by John Hopkins University. There are now more than 2.2 million confirmed cases; the death toll is 119,719.
Donald Trump on Saturday complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad — and suggested the testing effort should slow down.
His comments come as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in many states. The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis.
FLORIDA CASES: Florida reported 4,049 new cases of COVID-19 Friday - the highest daily total yet in a state that has now seen a consistent resurgence since reopening
FLORIDA DEATHS; Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona — states that all loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early — daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June
Gov. Ron DeSantis again tried to calms fears over another record-breaking spike in infections since reopening restaurants, bars, gyms and other public places.
During an afternoon press conference at the Florida Capitol, DeSantis tried to shift focus away from the sheer number of new cases that has begun to raise alarm.
The Florida Health Department also reported 40 more people have died from the virus, bringing the state's tally to more than 3,140.And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona — states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early — daily deaths have been quietly rising since early June.
'I think it's also important to provide context and perspective in terms of what that actually means,' the governor told reporters.
With more people being tested, DeSantis said the number of cases was bound to rise. He said there was a noticeable jump in the number of asymptomatic younger people in their 20s and 30s testing positive.
The governor acknowledged that complacency might be a factor as Floridians fail to heed social distancing measures as they begin resuming their daily lives.
'We're now three months into this. There's a lot of fatigue in terms of the social distancing,' he said.
Young people in particular have been among the most persistent offenders, DeSantis suggested. Over the weeks, the median age of people testing positive has been declining.
The governor has rejected calls for making masks mandatory in places like supermarkets and other public places, saying he will leave it to localities to decide to impose stricter measures.
Instead, he ordered the state's surgeon general to reissue a public health advisory that merely recommends that Floridians wear masks to help keep the virus from spreading and to refrain from attending gatherings of more than 50 people.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a South Florida Democrat, called on local officials to immediately require masks be worn in grocery stores and other retail establishments.
'With COVID-19 increasing at an alarming pace, everyone must do their part to stop its transmission,' she said.
Since the outbreak began earlier this year, nearly 94,000 Floridians have tested positive for the virus. The state said new test results were reported for 34,400 people Friday and showed an infection rate of more than 12% — a clear indication of the the widened public spread of the disease. The rate has tripled from about 4% a week ago.
Daniel Milian, from right, Miguel Martinez, and Laura De Armas chat as they relax on South Beach in Miami Beach, FL on Friday
Donald Trump on Saturday complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad — and suggested the testing effort should slow down. His comments come as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in many states. A boat parade for President Donald Trump in the Indian and Banana Rivers across Brevard County in Florida on Saturday
The new daily infections record comes just a day after the previous record was set, when the state announced more than 3,800 additional confirmed cases.
DeSantis also suggested, though without any immediate proof, that recent mass gatherings to protest police brutality against Blacks, including the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, might be contributing to the rise in infections.
The state has allowed bars, restaurants and some theme parks to reopen, and since then cases have spiked.
With the rise in infections, hospitalizations have also increased, but at a much slower rate, state health officials said. But there are no shortage of beds for those who need treatment.
While the governor has resisted calls to pull back from his push to reopen the state's economy, some of Florida's largest cities have slowed their plans to reopen.
With the Florida's economy badly damaged from the outbreak — and its unemployment rate at 14.5% in May — DeSantis has been under pressure to get his state back in business.
Florida breaks its single-day record for coronavirus Friday with 4,049 new cases after reopening the state as US reports its highest numbers since May 1 with 30,000 new infections across the nation
![Florida breaks its single-day record for coronavirus Friday with 4,049 new cases after reopening the state as US reports its highest numbers since May 1 with 30,000 new infections across the nation]()
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June 22, 2020
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