Florida hits record 186 coronavirus deaths in single day

Coronavirus-related deaths increased by 186 in Florida on Tuesday, a record amount that brings the state’s total death toll to 6,117.

According to the Florida Department of Health, the state also added 9,240 new coronavirus cases, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 441,977.

Last week, Florida surpassed New York as the state with the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. Both states still trail California, which has reported more than 467,000 cases.

Florida, however, still has a much lower mortality rate than New York, which experienced a surge earlier in the year, when less was known about the virus. 

New York has reported more deaths than any state by far, with more than 32,600. On its worst day, New York reported more than 800 new deaths, compared to Florida’s new record of 186. 

Florida’s health department released data on Monday that showed hospitalizations among children the state rose by more than 20 percent over an eight-day period in July, which comes as schools prepare to reopen across the state.

Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘s (R) administration unveiled an order requiring public and charter schools to open for at least five days each week starting in August.