State Watch

Florida records highest one-day coronavirus death toll

Florida reported 132 new coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, breaking the state’s record for the highest single-day death toll. 

The new fatalities bring Florida’s total to 4,409 deaths, according to state data.

Florida also reported 9,261 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 43,615. 

The new reported fatalities bring Florida’s seven-day average to 81 per day, according to The Associated Press, more than doubling the figure the state set two weeks ago and making Florida’s average the second-highest in the U.S. behind Texas, according to AP.

Florida is among the states in the U.S. with surging coronavirus cases. 

Governors in some states experiencing surges, including California, have taken steps to reimpose coronavirus restrictions, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has not closed nonessential businesses or put in place a statewide order mandating masks be worn in public. Florida did order bars to stop serving alcohol.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Tuesday ordered several indoor activities and all bar operations to shut down across the state

Earlier this month Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a statewide mandatory mask order, and at the end of June Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) ordered a 30-day closure of bars and gyms. Last week Ducey issued an additional order limiting indoor dining to 50 percent capacity.