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| The entire State of Florida is now a COVID hotspot. |
Florida reported 50,997 new cases of COVID-19 on over the last three days, an average of 17,000 new cases per day as the pandemic gains momentum. Just a month ago, Florida reported only1,228 new cases a single day. The high case counts come after the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reported Florida had more than 21,000 new coronavirus infections on Friday. It was one of the highest one-day total for Florida.
The numbers were released Saturday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over the last week, Florida saw a 50% increase weekly in new cases, as the state reported 110,477 cases from July 23 to July 29, according to data released by the Florida Department of Health.
Florida also reported 409 deaths this week, which brings the state's total to more than 39,000 since the pandemic began in March 2020. The peak for deaths in the state happened in mid-August 2020 when 1,266 people died over the span of seven days.
The state has become a new epicenter for the virus, as CDC data shows that new case numbers in Florida make up nearly a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.
Meanwhile, state universities are staying on track for a return to normal “pre-pandemic” operations, at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis, as the fall semester approaches, while Florida grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Classes begin Aug. 23 for most universities. Universities are poised to keep mask-wearing optional and discontinue limits on the numbers of people in classrooms. Gov. DeSantis has opposed making masks mandatory across the state in addition to vaccine requirements. DeSantis, along with the state legislature, has limited the ability of local officials to enforce restrictions that public health officials say would help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“The State University System of Florida is pleased to announce that all 12 public universities expect to increase classroom occupancy to pre-COVID capacity by the 2021-22 academic year and return to pre-COVID operations,” the Board of Governors said in a May 5 news release. “Further, we anticipate returning to full in-person participation in athletic and social activities on our campuses, including fan participation in stadiums and arenas.”
The CDC issued new guidelines Tuesday advising that all people, including those who are fully vaccinated, wear masks in schools and areas of “substantial or high” transmission.
The presidents of all 12 state universities joined together this week to ask students returning to campus to get vaccinated. The presidents signed an open letter published by the Board of Governors.
Florida State University issued a letter to employees Wednesday acknowledging “concern among the campus community” as the semester approaches, amid a “significant” increase in coronavirus cases locally.
The university is recommending masks be worn indoors and that everyone on campus get vaccinated.
“While our authority is limited by the state of Florida and the university cannot mandate vaccines, testing or mask wearing, we do promote these mitigation efforts,” FSU wrote in the letter.
The university is recommending masks be worn indoors and that everyone on campus get vaccinated.
“While our authority is limited by the state of Florida and the university cannot mandate vaccines, testing or mask wearing, we do promote these mitigation efforts,” FSU wrote in the letter.