What to Know
- More than 700 new coronavirus cases reported in Florida Tuesday
- Another 83 deaths reported, with more than two dozen in Miami-Dade and Broward
- Plans for reopening certain outdoor spaces in place in South Florida
More than 700 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Florida Tuesday along with 83 new deaths, bringing the state's virus-related death toll to 1,171.
The Florida Department of Health reported 32,846 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with more than 5,200 people hospitalized in the state to-date.
In Miami-Dade County, there were 11,831 cases, about 37 percent of the state's total, while Broward had 4,847 cases. Palm Beach had 2,877 cases, while Monroe had just 78.
Among Florida cities, Miami had the most cases by far with 7,364, followed by Hialeah with 1,439. In Broward County, Hollywood had 1,224 cases, while Fort Lauderdale had 1,115.
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Coronavirus-related deaths in all three counties increased, with 324 in Miami-Dade, 179 in Broward, and 173 in Palm Beach.
Meanwhile, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach announced Monday they are reopening their parks, golf courses, marinas and some other recreation facilities this week with strict limitations.
In Key West, officials announced that beaches were reopened Monday to residents although the Florida Keys remain closed to visitors.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state will reopen from the coronavirus economic shutdown in “baby steps” and that its regions could reopen at different times and rates.
While meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House Tuesday, DeSantis said he'll announce his plans this week to start reopening his state.
DeSantis told Trump that Florida's ability to test people for the virus now exceeds current demand and that moving to the first phase of reopening the economy should not be a heavy lift.
"We're going to approach it in a very measured, thoughtful and data driven way," he said during the Oval Office meeting.
Florida health authorities have attributed many of the state's COVID-19 cases to people traveling from other hot spots, including Europe, Nile River cruises, the New York City area and Latin America.
DeSantis said he's concerned about coronavirus cases increasing in some of the Latin American countries, such as Brazil, when their seasons change and he called upon airlines to do more to test passengers prior to boarding.
Trump said his administration is talking to the airline industry about giving passengers temperature checks and testing them for COVID-19 before flights.
