Florida on Tuesday has reported another new record: 2,783 COVID-19 cases diagnosed on the same day. This beats the previous single-day record set on Saturday, June 13, of over 2,500 new cases. Florida has more than 80,109 cases of coronavirus and 2,993 deaths as of this writing.
The last few days of high numbers have now put Florida in the lead across the country among states with most rapidly rising numbers of new coronavirus cases, according to Fortune.
Despite these frankly concerning numbers, Gov. Ron DeSantis played off any concerns and dismissed the need to tap the brakes on his reopening plans for the state during a press conference Tuesday. "We’re not rolling back,” said the governor. "The negative effects of that would far exceed any gains you’re getting. You have to have society function.”
In response to these new numbers, Florida Agricultural Commissioner – and member of DeSantis' state Cabinet – Nikki Fried issued a statement today taking DeSantis to task for his coronavirus response, saying that he has "lost control of Florida's COVID-19 response":“Today’s record-high new cases makes it clear: Governor DeSantis has lost control of Florida’s COVID-19 response. His policies are simply not working, and he’s recklessly reopening Florida despite the data screaming for caution. Refusing to acknowledge the alarming patterns in cases, hospitalizations, and positivity is not only arrogant, but will cost lives, public health, and our economy. To our citizens, I implore you to wear masks and continue social distancing – and just because a place is open, doesn’t mean it’s safe to go there.”
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