21,000 new cases in 24 hours in Florida

With the U.S. state registering 21,683 new cases in the last 24 hours, Florida has become a hub for COVID-19 among our neighbors in the South.

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This is a record for a “sunshine state” that has not experienced such a record since the outbreak began in March 2020.

All eyes are on Republican Gov. Rob Desantis, who has long been critical of sanitation measures imposed by U.S. health officials. He signed a decree last week banning schools from ordering masks at the start of the academic year.

The signature contrasts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement, which required elementary school teachers and students to wear the mask at the beginning of the school year.

“This governor has become a champion for people who do not want to wear a mask and do not follow CDC recommendations. The governor has made it as difficult as possible to keep people safe,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.

“We can make decisions that affect only us and not everyone,” said Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez.

Florida’s low vaccination rate means hospitals are overcrowded.

About 8,816 people are currently hospitalized. The number of 10,179 hospitalizations established on July 22, 2020 continues to reach.

According to data from the “Our World Data” site, only 49% of the population is fully vaccinated.