TOPLINE
Florida reported its smallest coronavirus case increase in three weeks Monday, while hospitalizations and the number of ICUs at capacity have also dropped, as the state that has been the U.S. coronavirus epicenter is continuing to show signs that its coronavirus crisis may have peaked.
Welcome to Florida with Palm Trees in the background
KEY FACTS
Florida reported 8,892 new coronavirus cases Monday—the fewest the state has reported since July 6.
Hospitalizations have also dropped over the past week from a high of over 9,500 on July 21; there are now 8,921 patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Covid-19.
Many hospitals are still operating at 0% ICU capacity, with 49 reporting 0% bed availability statewide, though that number had been above 50 in recent days.
The state reported 77 new coronavirus deaths for the second straight day, after reporting over 100 deaths for five straight days before breaking that sobering streak on Sunday.
But it’s not all good news in Florida, where the median age of infection is continuing to rise and now stands at 43—the highest reported since the state started publicly releasing the statistic on a daily basis, beginning in mid-June.
The state is also dealing with a massive increase in the number of children being hospitalized for coronavirus—a 23% rise over the past eight days—just weeks before schools are set to reopen.
CRITICAL QUOTE
"There are encouraging signs that the COVID-19 epidemic may have peaked in Florida, but it is too early to celebrate,” Steffanie Strathdee, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate dean of global health sciences at UC San Diego, told Forbes. But she also had a warning:"The virus isn’t just spread through coughing and sneezing, it is spread through complacency. Florida is home to a high proportion of elderly people and vacationers which makes it especially vulnerable."
KEY BACKGROUND
Florida was one of the fastest states to lift coronavirus restrictions on businesses, and Gov. Ron DeSantis touted the state’s success in preventing a coronavirus outbreak in the spring. But it has since turned into the nation’s coronavirus epicenter, reporting 15,300 cases on July 12 alone—the highest any state has ever reported throughout the pandemic. The southern part of the state, including the city of Miami, has been the hardest-hit.
TANGENT
At least 12 Miami Marlins players and two members of the MLB team’s coaching staff are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus. The team’s opening game has since been canceled, and the future of the 2020 MLB season has been thrown in doubt.
BIG NUMBER
15% — That’s the current testing positivity rate in Florida, still well above the national positivity rate of 10%.
FURTHER READING
Child hospitalizations from Covid-19 surge 23% in Florida as schools statewide must reopen (CNN)
Florida Shatters National Record With Over 15,000 New Coronavirus Cases (Forbes)
Two Games Cancelled After 14 Marlins Test Positive For Coronavirus. The 2020 MLB Season Is In Doubt (Forbes)
