Florida Sees 8K New Coronavirus Cases In Last 24 Hours

FLORIDA — Coronavirus cases continue to increase in Florida, as 8,085 new cases were reported by the Department of Health on Tuesday. Six additional deaths were also added to Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard, bringing the total number of Florida residents’ deaths to 18,157, according to the DOH.

The Florida COVID Action dashboard tells a different story, though. This website, founded by Rebekah Jones, an ousted former data manager for the DOH and a whistleblower who accused the state of trying to doctor its coronavirus numbers, reported 8,555 new cases on Tuesday.

It also reported 73 new deaths in the Sunshine State — a vastly different number from the six reported by the DOH. According to Jones’ website, there have been 18,383 coronavirus deaths in Florida since March 1.

The DOH dashboard reports non-resident cases and deaths, as well. According to the state, the total number of Florida cases, including non-residents, is at 953,300. The state has also reported 226 non-resident coronavirus deaths. The state’s positivity rate is also up to 7.45 percent for the latest batch of tests reported, according to the DOH.

Florida COVID Action says there have been more than 1 million positive COVID-19 cases in the state, though. The website said 1,044,548 people have tested positive in Florida as of Tuesday evening.

Jones also reports on current statewide coronavirus hospitalizations. There are currently 3,757 individuals hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, according to her website. There are currently 1,478 available adult ICU beds in the state and 283 pediatric ICU beds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has not reminded residents of the warning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is with people in your household.

"As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with, " the CDC said last week. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu."

Experts say the coronavirus is airborne and that tiny droplets containing the virus can linger indoors for hours as aerosols, making indoor events such as Thanksgiving dinner especially risky, since guests have to remove their masks to eat and drink.

Both Republican and Democratic governors in other states have urged their residents to follow these safety measures to stem the spread:

• Wear a mask
• Practice social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently
• Follow the guidance of public health officials

DeSantis tweeted Tuesday afternoon that he has been meeting with federal officials involved in Operation Warp Speed to gear up for mass vaccinations against the coronavirus. "We have been working to procure therapeutic treatments for our hospitals & are ready to begin distributing vaccines pending FDA approval."

DeSantis recently hired a new data analyst with no data scientist training. Kyle Lamb, a 40-year-old sports blogger and Uber driver from Columbus, Ohio, has also publicly disputed coronavirus safety protocols.

When Lamb first announced his new position, the Tampa Bay Times reported that he touted his lack of experience.

"Fact is, I'm not an 'expert.' I'm not a doctor, epidemiologist, virologist or scientist," Lamb wrote on a website for a subscribers-only podcast he hosts about the coronavirus. "I also don't need to be. Experts don't have all the answers, and we've learned that the hard way."