Health Care

Florida records over 10K COVID-19 cases, highest single-day increase

by Jessie Hellmann 07/02/20 12:18 PM ET

Florida recorded 10,109 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day increase for the state.

There are now more than 169,000 confirmed cases in Florida. An additional 68 deaths were reported Wednesday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 fatalities to 3,718.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has taken some steps to try to slow the spread of the virus, including closing bars and some beaches. While he has not issued a statewide mask mandate, several localities require the use of masks in public.

“I don’t think anyone predicted a Sun Belt resurgence in mid-June, but we had the infrastructure in place,‘’ DeSantis said at a press conference he held Thursday afternoon with Vice President Pence.

“And we’re in a much better place to be able to deal with this as a result of it.”

Experts attribute the rise in cases in Florida and other states to reopening businesses too quickly after a weeks-long shutdown and lax following of social distancing recommendations.

However, asked by a reporter if he took responsibility for Florida’s increase in cases, he shot back: “Well, do you give credit for Florida for having much lower fatalities per 100,000 than all the states you just praised?” He argued that Florida protected its most vulnerable citizens better than states like New York.

Florida is one of the states being hit hardest by COVID-19 right now, making up about 20 percent of new cases in the U.S.

Texas, Arizona and California area also reporting record-high daily case increases.

Updated at 5:12 pm.