On Sunday, Florida set a grim record, reporting the most new coronavirus cases seen in a single day, with 15,300 infections being reported.
As the New York Times reports, that figure far surprises the previous record set by New York at 12,274, which occurred during the height of the pandemic.
That being said, it is worth noting that not only does Florida’s spike in infections come from a spike in the transmission of the virus, but is also the result of increased testing, according to the Times.
The New York Times also notes that currently, hospitals are better supplied and more prepared to effectively treat parents now, as compared to the early months of the pandemic, however, that does not take away from the overwhelming nature of the virus. Just last week, multiple reports noted that Florida ICU beds were nearing capacity amidst the rapid spread of the virus in the state.
It is also concerning that this sharp spike is occurring at a time when the Republican National Convention is scheduled for August in Jacksonville, Fla., and that Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been widely criticized for his handling of the pandemic, has insisted that public schools be reopened as the fall semester is scheduled to begin.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – JULY 11:In this handout photo provided by Walt Disney World Resort, guests stop to take a selfie at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on July 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. July 11, 2020 is the first day of the phased reopening. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)
“If you can do Home Depot, if you can do Walmart, if you can do these things we absolutely can do the schools,” DeSantis quipped.
Also amid the worrisome spike, Disney World started to reopen on Saturday for the first time since it was forced to close in March.
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