Florida reports record-breaking 15,299 coronavirus cases in 24-hour period

Grim milestone comes as the wider United States continues to battle against the most rampant Covid-19 outbreak in the world
More than 4,300 people have died in Florida of Covid-19 since March, when the state recorded its first case of the virus
AP
David Child13 July 2020

Florida has broken the record for the largest single-day surge in positive coronavirus cases in any US state since the pandemic erupted, adding more than 15,000 cases in 24 hours.

According to state Department of Health statistics, 15,299 people tested positive, for a total of 269,811 cases, and 45 deaths were recorded.

The figure surpassed the previous record of daily positive Covid-19 cases - set by California on Wednesday when it confirmed 11,694 new Covid-19 infections in the preceding 24 hours. New York had 11,571 on April 15.

The confirmation of a mounting caseload in Florida came at the end of a grim, record-breaking week for the state which saw officials report 514 fatalities - an average of 73 per day. Three weeks ago, Florida was averaging 30 Covid-19 deaths per day.

In total, 4,346 people have died in Florida of Covid-19 since March, when the state recorded its first case of the virus.

Testing has doubled over the last month, going from about 25,000 tests per day to almost 50,000, but the percentage of people testing positive has risen even more dramatically.

A month ago, fewer than 5 per cent of tests came up positive on a daily average. Over the past week, the daily average exceeded 19 per cent.

University of Florida epidemiologist Dr Cindy Prins said about 143,000 tests were reported on Sunday.

“I still think we need to increase our testing a little bit more,” she said, adding the state and local health departments should ramp up their contact tracing," she said.

Dr Prins added that she was still concerned about large crowds, gyms and some restaurants as being places of mass transmission.

Reports of illegal clubs and raves in South Florida is also a worry, she said.

“I really do think we could control this and it’s the human element that is so critical,” Dr Prins said. “It should be an effort of our country. We should be pulling together when we’re in a crisis and we’re definitely not doing it.

“I know people want to live their lives. There have been a lot of other times, people have made those sacrifices in order to benefit our society. It’s almost like a war effort. That’s what we need right now.”

Throughout May and into June, Florida reopened much of its economy with some restrictions and the number of positive cases began rising.

It was not until the last week that the daily death total began rising, too.

On July 11, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, concerning health experts who have urged people not to gather in groups
Walt Disney World Resort via Get

Because of the increase in cases and the positivity rate, doctors have predicted a rise in deaths, saying the mortality rate usually increases two to four weeks later as some of those infected get sicker and eventually die.

Health experts are worried people are gathering in crowds and have expressed concern the Republican National Convention’s nomination party for President Donald Trump will be held in Jacksonville in August.

On Saturday, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened at Walt Disney World in Orlando, concerning health experts who urge people not to gather in groups.

Guests at the park said people were wearing masks and social distancing, and videos showed near-empty parks.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis said even with the rising rates, he still wants schools to reopen as scheduled next month.

“We know there are huge, huge costs for not providing the availability of in-person schooling,” he said. “The risk of corona, fortunately, for students is incredibly low.”

The situation in Florida has emerged as the wider United States is battling the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world.

A long-expected upturn in deaths has begun across the country, driven by fatalities in states in the south and west.

To date, some 3.3 million Covid-19 infections have been recorded nationwide, and more than 135,000 people have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Donald Trump, pictured wearing a mask in public for the first time, has been criticised for his response to the coronavirus pandemic
AFP via Getty Images

Researchers expect deaths to rise in the US for at least some weeks but some think the count probably will not go up as dramatically as it did in the spring because of several factors, including increased testing.

US President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his handling of the pandemic and faced repeated accusations of reacting too slowly to the crisis.

The US President has also made a slew of misleading claims concerning the pandemic - including predictions it would "disappear" of its own accord and floating suggestions injecting disinfectant into the body could cure the coronavirus.

Mr Trump on Saturday wore a face mask in public for the first time, something Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said showed he has “crossed a bridge” with the pandemic.

Ms Pelosi told CNN’s State of the Union that she hopes it means the president “will change his attitude, which will be helpful in stopping the spread of the coronavirus”.

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