Tuesday brought about the third highest new daily cases around the world, second highest in the United States and the deadliest to date in Florida. As of this entry, there are 13,465,440 cases, 581,405 deaths, and 7,855,841 recoveries around the world. In the US, there are 3,545,257 cases, 139,145 deaths, 1,600,321 recoveries. And in our state, there are 291,629 cases, 4,409 deaths, and 33,760 recoveries.
Tuesday was a mixed bag of news in Florida. With 9,194 new cases, we had the fewest in a day since last Thursday. However, Florida had its deadliest day of the pandemic with 132 deaths attributed to the virus. Florida is now averaging over 11 thousand new cases and 81 daily deaths, both new highs. Healthcare experts indicated Florida’s surge in cases would result in an increase in deaths, that's what we’re now experiencing. South Florida remains the epicenter of the virus with Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties reporting the most cases in that order. Hospitalization rates remain at their highest levels of the pandemic with 77% utilization statewide and 80% in the TriCounty area.
The overall positive test rate continues to rise in Florida, it's now 10.8%. That includes testing at greater than 10% positive, the target rate, each day since June 22nd. We’re seeing the spike in cases coming from both an increase in testing and predominantly from increased community spread. This reinforces the importance of using proper safety measures like wearing masks in public and socially distancing.
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