Florida records its highest one-day rise in new COVID cases

Florida reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the highest one-day total reported in the US state since the pandemic began, according to federal health data released on Saturday.

Florida’s theme park resorts have again started asking visitors to wear masks indoors amid the surge.

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The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around 20% of all new cases in the country, according to the Associated Press.  The latest numbers were recorded on Friday and released on Saturday on the CDC website. The figures show a huge surge of reported cases in the state. On Friday, Florida reported 17,093 new daily cases. The previous high in Florida was in early January when 19,334 cases were reported in a single day.

Republican Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis has refused to order mandatory mask mandates and vaccine requirements. Even amid the surge, DeSantis on Friday barred school districts in the state from requiring students to wear masks when classes resume next month.

Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld became the latest theme park resorts in Florida to again ask visitors to wear masks indoors. The employees at the park will also be required to wear face coverings to protect against COVID-19, which has been surging across the state.