Cases in Florida, a national COVID bellwether, are rising

Mar 29, 20210

John McCall, South Florida Sun Sentinel count

People congregate on a Fort Lauderdale beach on March 19, 2021. Spring breakers are flocking to South Florida despite the ongoing pandemic. Many young adults say they have no plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine if offered.

Scientists view Florida - the state furthest along in lifting restrictions, reopening society and welcoming tourists - as a bellwether for the nation.

If recent trends there are any indication, the rest of the country may be in trouble.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida has been steadily rising, though hospitalizations and deaths are still down. Over the past week, the state has averaged nearly 5,000 cases per day, an increase of 8% from its average two weeks earlier.

https://www.startribune.com/cases-in-florida-a-national-covid-bellwether-are-rising/600039755/