FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida health officials on Friday reported that another 5,245 people tested positive for COVID-19, continuing a surge of new cases this month.
The state has averaged 5,013 coronavirus cases a day since Sunday, as lines for people waiting to be swabbed are getting longer across South Florida.
Public health experts have tracked a rise of infections in recent weeks since Gov. Ron DeSantis' Sept. 25 order for the phase 3 full reopening of bars and restaurants.
Florida's increased virus spread is happening as cases keep climbing across the U.S. The nation posted a record of 121,888 daily cases Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
During Florida's recent upward trend, the state has confirmed at least 4,000 new COVID-19 cases on 10 out of the past 11 days.
The state says 832,625 people have tested positive since March.
Officials on Friday also reported another 54 people have died from COVID-19. Most of the fatalities happened in recent weeks but were just confirmed in the past day.
The toll now shows 17,014 Floridians have died from COVID-19, plus 210 nonresidents who died in the state.
