Florida had over 20,000 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday based on data from the CDC. The 20,133 new cases reported marked the third-highest day during the pandemic and the second within the last week, Florida has checked in with over 20k in a day. Florida’s weekly trend for daily cases has risen to a new high of 18,120 cases.
Furthermore, Florida has also reached a new hospitalization high with over 12,400 COVID-19 hospitalized reported statewide. Of Florida’s 261 hospitals, 255 currently have COVID-19 patients and while there remains capacity in the system, those in intensive care are of particular concern. As of Thursday night 2,577, COVID patients were in ICU, which is 89% of Florida’s current capacity.
Let's move to education, Florida’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting to finalize COVID-19 produces in Florida’s schools for the upcoming school year and to take up a likely rule change that will allow parents of students in district schools with mask mandates to access Florida’s Hope Scholarship. The proposal said, "The agency finds that the potential for student learning loss and educational disruption with schools starting next week, creates an immediate danger to the public health, safety, and welfare of students and requires emergency action". While the board will likely mandate parental options for masks regardless, the board perceives the potential for children to be bullied or to feel ostracized by administrators and/or students in those districts.
Lastly, Carnival Cruise Line has announced a new policy in which all passengers, regardless of vaccination status, will now be forced to test negative for COVID-19 prior to boarding a ship and will have to wear masks in common areas aboard the ship.