What to Know
- More COVID-19-related deaths in Miami-Dade and Broward as state death toll surpasses 800
- Miami-Dade leads Florida with 9,657 cases and 223 deaths related to the virus
- Gov. DeSantis' task force on re-opening state holds first meeting
More than 740 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Florida Monday, as the state's death toll related to the virus surpassed 800.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the state were at 27,058, with 823 COVID-19-related deaths, 49 more since Sunday, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health.
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Miami-Dade County had 9,657 confirmed cases, about 36 percent of the state's total, along with 223 deaths. Broward had 4,078 cases and 122 deaths.
Palm Beach County had 2,260 cases and 122 reported deaths, while Monroe County had 73 cases and 3 deaths.
The City of Miami reached 5,852 cases, by far the most among Florida cities. Hialeah was next closest with 1,224 cases, followed by Hollywood with 1,103.
About 4,000 people had been hospitalized in the state to date.
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held phone conference Monday with a task force he assembled to work on re-opening the state's economy.
DeSantis said the task force would create short, medium and long-term recommendations, and includes business owners and elected officials.
"I think if we bounce back in a very thoughtful and safe and efficient way then I think we can minimize or at least mitigate some of the damage that has been done and hopefully have a path back," DeSantis said.
Some local Florida governments began the reopening of beaches for limited activity in the past few days In places where they are opening, there are restrictions. Walking and running are allowed, sunbathing isn't.
Florida never issued a statewide closure of beaches. The decisions were left to local governments.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez tweeted Sunday that the county's beaches remain closed, despite there being "buzz on social media" about them reopening.
"Although we’re consulting with medical experts on the future opening of public spaces, there is currently no timeline for opening beaches," Gimenez tweeted.
Gimenez held a virtual town hall Monday afternoon where the public was invited to voice its concerns and suggestions on the county's plan to reopen public spaces in the county.
