Florida reports nearly 9,000 new coronavirus cases as the national crisis accelerates
Florida and Texas are among the Sun Belt states where Republican governors promoted their easing of social distancing restrictions and reopening of non-essential businesses. And both of those states, according to the Washington Post, are now seeing their numbers of new coronavirus cases continue to surge.
The Post reports that on Friday, health officials in Florida “reported 8,942 new infections, eclipsing a previous single-day record of 5,511 set just two days ago. Fatalities in the state also appeared to be trending upward, with 39 new deaths announced Friday.”
Friday, according to the Post, is “the 19th day in a row that Florida has hit a new average high” in terms of coronavirus infections. And in Florida, the Post reports, “average cases are now up about 77% from a week ago, and 526% since Memorial Day.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been criticized by health experts for being too slow to implement social distancing restrictions but too quick to begin easing them.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott — in response to the increasing number of coronavirus infections in his state — has issued an executive order that revives social distancing restrictions on bars and restaurants. Texas, according to the Post, has “reported a record 5996 new cases.”
During an appearance on CNN, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, a Democrat, warned, “The trajectory that we’re on right now has our hospitals being overwhelmed, probably about mid-July.”
