
Florida recorded more than 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the highest single-day increase any state has experienced during the pandemic, officials reported, according to The Hill.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed 15,299 new coronavirus cases in Florida residents inside the state, bringing the state’s total to 269,811 cases.
The state also reported 45 new deaths in Florida residents, adding up to a total of 4,242 fatalities.
Previously, California held the record with the most confirmed cases in a day with 11,694, four days ago. Before that, New York had 11,571 on April 15, The Associated Press reported.
The record increase comes after Florida documented 514 fatalities last week. Florida has increased the number of tests it conducts, but the percentage of tests coming back positive has also jumped.
Florida began reopening its economy in May and June, with a few restrictions, and a surge in cases began near the end of June.
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened with restrictions on Saturday despite the increasing cases, according to AP.
The US as a whole is also seeing an increase in daily identified cases, reaching its highest point on Friday with 68,241 new cases counted.