Florida officials seek ‘urgency’ as hospitals fill

Florida is rapidly becoming the new epicenter of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak. Days after reporting the most new cases for a single day of any U.S. state, Florida had 133 fatalities on Tuesday – a record for a single day. With the virus spreading fast, local officials this week implored governor Ron DeSantis and U.S. President Donald Trump to adopt a more urgent tone. “I think we need a sense of urgency in our community, it really has to come from the president and the governor.” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber called on Governor DeSantis to immediately adopt a statewide mask mandate – something Florida still doesn’t have despite an explosion of cases. “I think it will tell people you have to do this. It’s urgent that you do it.” Sunbathers on the beaches of Clearwater – which remain open – were divided on the issue. Odaliz Martinez, resident:”People should wear masks simply because it’s not protecting yourself, but it’s protecting others.” Unidentified beachgoer: “To be completely honest, I think it’s a bunch of bullshit. I don’t think it’s really what it’s made out to be.” Meanwhile the state’s hospitals are showing signs of strain. The president and CEO of Jackson Health System in Miami on Tuesday said health workers ‘can’t do this forever.’ Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System: “Our health care workers have been at this now, we’re on our fifth month. And they’re tired, they’re stressed.” At the same hospital – more than 150 employees are reportedly off the job after testing positive for the coronavirus. Dr. Mark Supino, Jackson Health System: “It’s not just about having beds for patients, we also need all of the support staff positions, nurses and techs.” Across South Florida – hospitals reporting emergency rooms and intensive care units nearing capacity. Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System: “We need to do something now.” And it’s playing out elsewhere: Texas reported a record number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Tuesday. But it’s not just California, Arizona and Texas shattering records anymore. States including Oklahoma, Alabama and Nevada are reporting record numbers of new coronavirus cases. A Reuters tally puts the American death toll at just over 136,000. A newly revised model from the University of Washington now projects the U.S. will see 224,000 deaths by November 1.
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World News from Reuters

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