Fort Lauderdale (US), July 31 (AP): Florida’s coronavirus cases jumped 50 percent this week, continuing a six-week increase, the state health department reported Friday, making it one of the 5 nationally Responsible for 1 new infection. epicenter of the outbreak.
The release came soon after Gov. Ron DeSantis barred students from requiring students to wear masks when classes resume next month, saying there is no evidence they prevent outbreaks among students or staff.
Over 110,000 new coronavirus cases were reported across the state in the past one week, up from 73,000 in the previous week and 11 times more than 10,000 in the week of June 11 six weeks ago. Case numbers are now back in January, just before vaccinations became widely available.
The Florida Hospital Association also said Friday that statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations are at their peak last year. More than 9,300 patients are hospitalised, which was 1,845 a month ago and touched a record close of 10,179 on July 23, 2020. On a per capita basis, Florida now has more people hospitalized than any other state.
The state reported 409 deaths this week, taking its total to over 39,000 since its first in March 2020. The state’s peak occurred in mid-August 2020, when 1,266 people died in a span of seven days. Death usually occurs after a few weeks of hospitalization.
DeSantis blames the increase on seasonality – more Floridians are indoors due to warmer weather as air conditioning transmits the virus.
About 60 percent of Floridians 12 and older are vaccinated, ranking it among states. DeSantis said that making masks mandatory in schools will improve the experience of students and make it easier for them to focus on learning.
“I have (three) small children. My wife and I are not going to wear masks with the kids. We will never have, we will not. I want to see my kids smiling. I want them to have fun,” DeSantis said at a news conference in southwest Florida hours before the executive order was signed.
DeSantis is seeking re-election next year and positioning himself nationally for a possible 2024 presidential bid. But his critics are blaming his reluctance to wear masks, such as his executive order barring mask requirements in public schools.
“We know that masks are a simple and effective way to help stop the spread of the virus, and from a medical standpoint it makes absolutely zero sense to discourage their use,” said Florida’s Progressive Committee to Protect Health. Dr. Bernard Ashby, Head of Care said. “The power grab of DeSantis would put the health of children and teachers alike at risk.” DeSantis’ decision came after the Broward County School Board voted to require masks and was considered by other districts and colleges across the state.
“We have to change our policy,” Broward board member Debbie Hixon told the South Florida SunSentinel.
“I am not defying the governor. I believe it is an irresponsible decision but if it is law then I will agree to abide by it. The Florida Education Association, the state’s teachers’ union, said DeSantis should leave the decision up to local officials instead of enforcing the statewide order — a position he once held. When the pandemic began in March 2020, DeSantis said local officials should control the response, that businesses closed and masks imposed in Miami, Tampa and other large cities would not work in smaller, rural counties.
“Government DeSantis thinks Tallahassee knows best what all Floridians need,” union president Andrew Spar said in a statement.
“We reject that kind of thinking. Instead, we want to allow all Florida citizens to have a voice by empowering elected leaders in cities, counties and school districts to make health and safety decisions at the local level. Gov. . tells DeSantis. Meanwhile, Publix, the state’s largest supermarket chain, announced Friday that employees will have to wear masks again and several hospitals said they were postponing elective surgeries and limiting visitors. Huh.
At Tampa General Hospital, more than 90 patients hospitalized with COVID are already higher than the previous high of 86, said Dr Sita Lakshmi, medical director of its Global Emerging Diseases Institute. She said the hospital, like many people, cannot keep enough staff and that it is exhausting the workers.
“It looks like we are getting hit by a train, the speed is so fast and uncontrollable,” Lakshmi said. “I have no words now. It’s awful, just awful and it’s going to be terrible.” She said that last year, the average age of her patients was in their 70s. Now, it is just over 50, with younger patients getting sicker than before.
She pointed to a patient in her early 30s whose lungs were falling apart “sounding like Velcro.” The fathers of young children, the more likely they are to have permanent damage and eventually need a transplant, she said.
He said 83 percent of Tampa General’s COVID patients have not been vaccinated, while others have immune-deficiency issues that prevent the vaccine from working. (AP) CPS
(This story is published as part of an auto-generated Syndicate wire feed. Headline or body have not been edited by ABP Live.)
.