The Florida Department of Health has reported at least 15,299 new Covid-19 cases, the highest number of new cases in a single day by any state since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The record-setting number from Saturday was reported by the state Sunday morning.
But it’s not just the number of new cases that’s concerning. The test positivity rate – which can indicate how rampantly the virus is spreading – reached 19.6% as of Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Across the country, more than half the states are dealing with increased rates of new cases compared to last week. And more than half the states have paused or rolled back their reopening plans in hopes of getting coronavirus under control.
Now, some state and local leaders are at odds over what to do next.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp slammed Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ decision to move the city’s reopening back to phase 1, saying it was “merely guidance – both non-binding and legally unenforceable.”
“As clearly stated in my executive orders, no local action can be more or less restrictive, and that rule applies statewide,” Kemp tweeted.
Phase 1 means residents must stay home except for essential trips. The mayor defended her decision, saying the state reopened recklessly and that Georgians were “suffering the consequences.” She also pointed to higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths, both locally and statewide.
In Florida, US Rep. Donna Shalala said places like Miami are getting closer to shutting down for a second time.
“This is an American tragedy,” she said. “It’s out of control across the state because our governor won’t even tell everybody to wear masks,” she said.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told CNN on Sunday that hospitals in the city are reaching full capacity.
Almost 1,900 Covid-19 patients in Miami Beach have been hospitalized, with 400 in intensive care and 200 on ventilators, Gelber said.