In Florida, COVID-19 Death Toll Keeps Rising

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People relax on the beach in Miami Beach, Fla. on Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

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Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

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In another positive sign, the percentage of people who tested positive for the virus was the lowest in two weeks. «We definitely believe that we’ve seen a peak, DeSantis said, as he reminded Floridians to keep following guidelines including social distancing and wearing face coverings.

As DeSantis points to signs of progress in Florida’s battle with the coronavirus, Democrats continue to criticize him for not adopting tougher policies, including a statewide face covering mandate. The head of the U.S. House Oversight and Reform subcommittee, Democrat James Clyburn, sent a letter to DeSantis this week, asking why the state wasn’t following White House Coronavirus Task Force recommendations on face masks, gyms and social gatherings.

In the latest report, 8,983 people in Florida tested positive for COVID-19. With the approach of Hurricane Isaias, the state has closed many of its coronavirus testing centers, including all in Miami-Dade County, the state’s hot spot.