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Florida has reported more than 138,000 new cases of COVID-19, as well as a 24% increase in hospitalizations in the state, bringing the pandemic total number of cases in the Sunshine State to well over 6 million.
Credit: ASAM
If ever anything felt like “two steps forward, one step back,” it’s COVID-19.
As the country returns to normal, or a “new normal,” as it were, people begin to settle back into life sans mask mandates, gallons of hand sanitizer and drive-through testing centers on every corner, and fans take to storming (Cinderella) Castle again with reckless abandon, the state of Florida reports 138,657 new coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
During that same period of time, Florida’s COVID-19 positivity rate has remained in the double digits. Hospitalizations increased by 24% compared with the previous week.
The latest cases bring Florida’s cumulative total of coronavirus cases to 6,196,905. Florida reported 270 more deaths from COVID-19. Nearly 75,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19 since the virus was first detected in the United States in 2020.
Per the Sentinel, “the number of cases over the last two weeks increased compared to the 99,630 reported in the two weeks prior, and positivity increased from 13.4% to 16.2%. That’s for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.”
Credit: WESH
During the final week of May, more than 3,000 Floridians were hospitalized with COVID-19, according to the latest White House report. Two weeks ago, that number was 1,934, and four weeks ago, it was 1,279.
The Orlando Sentinel published the following information about new COVID-19 cases by Florida county:
Central Florida added 27,144 resident infections over the last two weeks, based on the actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 1,214,807: 9,209 more in Orange for 398,960; 2,563 more in Osceola for 119,774; 4,034 more in Polk for 209,329; 1,797 more in Lake for 89,419; 581 more in Sumter for 23,348; 2,638 more in Volusia for 122,496; 3,714 more in Brevard for 141,879; and 2,608 more in Seminole for 109,602.
In April, as COVID-19 cases continued to drop and life began to resemble a pre-pandemic normal, the Walt Disney World Resort announced masks were no longer required for Guests. Soon after, Disney World announced the return of character meet-and-greets in which Guests could once again give Mickey and their favorite Disney Princesses a hug and pose for photos.
Credit: Disney Parks
Even in light of such an uptick in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Florida, Disney doesn’t seem to be slowing down admissions. All four parks at Disney World have been at or near capacity recently. In fact, the parks are so well attended lately, that thanks to Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System, Guests may not be able to visit Disney World on the dates they’ve chosen.
RELATED: Disney has begun penalizing Guests who don’t show up at the parks on their reserved days
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World soon, Disney urges Guests to be sure to consult the Park Pass Calendar on the Resort’s website before purchasing tickets.
