ToplineFlorida's coronavirus epidemic is worsening. Saturday saw a new high in new cases and another record for hospitalizations. But Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is not changing his staunch opposition to public health restrictions that would help stop the spread of the virus.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), listens to a news conference held Aug. 3, 2021, near the Shark Valley Visitor Center in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Le) ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Key FactsFlorida reported 23,903 Covid-19 new cases Saturday. This surpasses Friday's record by more than 1000 cases. Another record-breaking number of hospitalizations in Florida was 13,747, another record that has been set for the majority of the week. Saturday's death toll was 93, which is less than Friday's 199 but still considerably more than the average of 15 per day a month ago. According to Friday's Covid report, the Florida Department of Health, Florida's testing positive rate has increased to 18.9%. This is nearly three times the rate reported a month ago. An increasing rate of test positivity is a sign that the virus is spreading faster.Big Number49.4% According to a Mayo Clinic tracker, that's the percentage Florida residents who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This number is significantly higher than the average for most Southern states, but it's still below the national figure of 50.1%. The White House announced on Friday a significant milestone when it stated that half of all Americans were fully vaccinated.Important BackgroundAccording to a New York Times tracker, Florida accounts for the highest number of new cases in the U.S. with more than 19,000 cases per day. While many countries are working to curb the spread of the delta variant, such as mask mandates, DeSantis instead is actively seeking to ban restrictions in his state. DeSantis announced that he would sign an executive order banning mask mandates in public school. The state Board of Education unanimously approved Friday's emergency rule, which DeSantis supported. This allows students to move from public schools to private schools if they experience what the state refers to as "Covid-19 harassment", such as being asked to wear masks and socially distant. Private school tuition would be paid for by the tax payers. DeSantis also dismissed the state's health crisis, claiming that claims of a media hysteria are just "media hype" and that the spike in Covid cases in the state is due to illegal immigration at the southern border. PolitiFact has rejected this claim.TangentIn recent weeks, DeSantis and President Joe Biden have been engaged in a verbal battle over immigration and policies related to Covid. Biden responded to DeSantis' criticism on Thursday by saying "governor" When asked about DeSantis’ criticism of him, Biden replied "governor who?" DeSantis responded on Friday to questions about DeSantis' criticism of him by saying, "I'm surprised that Biden doesn’t remember me." "What else has he forgotten?"Continue readingFlorida Shatters Records for New Covid Cases and Hospitalizations as Gov. DeSantis Resists New Restrictions (Forbes).Florida Shatters Record For Covid HospitalizationAgainAs DeSantis Downplays Crisis (Forbes)Florida may cover tuition for students who are allegedly bullied because they don't wear masks (Forbes).Floridas DeSantis Signing Order To Block Mask Mandates In Schools (Forbes)Half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to White House (Forbes).DeSantis mocks President's "Governor who?" Snark: "What else has Biden forgotten?" (Fox News).Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
