(CMR) The number of infected persons in the Sunshine State has reached over 33,000 with 83 new deaths reported Tuesday representing the highest reported single-day death toll. Over 1,200 persons have died in Florida as state officials become increasingly concerned about the COVID-19 impact on the aging population in long-term care facilities.
In the last month, coronavirus has wreaked havoc on elder-care facilities across the state. As of April 27, there have been 2,934 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, resulting in 311 deaths, according to the latest data from the state. A third of that number are staff members.
South Florida — Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties — continues to be one of the most hard-hit areas in the state and makes up more than half of the statewide COVID-19 cases, with a total of 19,633 confirmed cases.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has ordered 100,000 more COVID-19 body bags in preparation to prepare for a ‘worst case’ scenario
Starting Thursday, a new coronavirus testing site at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale will test adults with and without COVID-19 symptoms. The testing is being arranged by the City of Fort Lauderdale in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Health, and American Medical Response. It’s available to anyone 18 or older. Photo ID is required and people are reminded to come wearing a face covering.
Testing has expanded to asymptomatic people at several sites across South Florida, which is crucial for understanding the presence of COVID-19 since the virus can be carried by people not showing symptoms.
Today the United States reached its own milestone of more than 1 million diagnosed cases. The jump in deaths came a day after only 14 new deaths were reported, so the high increase is likely an issue with how the state reports its data. Despite these grim numbers Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has declared Florida a coronavirus success story, claiming at the White House today that he is prepared to re-open the state's economy.
Some coronavirus models have indicated that Florida's peak may have passed but a second wave is very possible. State leaders are looking at re-opening once the state’s stay-at-home orders expire Thursday.
In other news, state officials have stopped releasing the list of coronavirus deaths being compiled by Florida’s medical examiners, which has at times shown a higher death toll than the state’s published count. The chairman of the state Medical Examiners Commission says state officials told him they plan to release a redacted list, but he believes the entirety of the list is public information — a stance supported by Florida public records experts.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid