FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — After a record-breaking COVID-19 surge over the summer, Florida now has fewest number of average daily cases per capita in the U.S., according to data from the state Department of Health.
An average of eight new coronavirus cases are reported for every 100,000 people in Florida, the data show. Alaska continues to lead the nation in new cases with 94 per capita, followed by Montana with 75.
By late in the summer, Florida was reporting an average of more than 300 cases a day per capita. The rate peaked on Sept. 1 at 385.
Florida has also dropped in its ranking of average daily deaths per capita after soaring in the top three for several weeks late in the summer. As of Wednesday, the state’s 0.53 deaths per 100,000 population was 17th in the U.S. Montana leads in per-capita deaths with 1.53, followed by Idaho with 1.2.
On Thursday, Florida reported 2,292 total new COVID-19 cases, bringing its 7-day average to 1,731, its lowest level since June 24. The state also added one additional death to its total count, but Florida reports deaths by the dates they occur and can take up to three weeks to reflect in the data. Based on the date of reported death, the 7-day average for daily deaths stood at 127.
