Since Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida would tentatively enter “phase one” of the state’s reopening process, Florida state officials reported a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases over a seven-day period.
Between April 27 and May 4, the latter date marking the start of phase one, Florida state officials reported 4,759 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Between May 10 and May 17, Florida announced 4,992 additional cases of COVID-19, a relative 4.7% increase. The majority of cases are found in residents between the ages of 45 and 54.
According to data collected by the Florida Department of Health, statewide deaths increased by 14% between the four-day periods spanning May 1 to May 4 (85 new deaths) and May 14 to May 17 (98).
The increase in deaths related to COVID-19 follows a relatively successful three-day period between May 9 and May 11 that saw Florida report only 20 deaths. However, the Florida Department of Health’s official COVID-19 tracker states that “death data often has significant delays in reporting, so data within the past two weeks will be updated frequently.”
However, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties–the three Florida counties with the highest aggregate COVID-19 case totals–remain under stay at home orders.
Starting Monday, Florida gyms are allowed to reopen and retail businesses and restaurants can expand patronage from 25% to 50%. Gyms must also follow strict sanitation protocols.