More Than 32,000 Coronavirus Cases in Florida, as Death Toll Increases to 1,088

More than 600 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Florida Monday pushing the state's total past 32,000, as more deaths related to the virus were reported.

Coronavirus cases in the state were at 32,138 Monday, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health.

Deaths related to COVID-19 increased to 1,088, with 302 deaths reported in Miami-Dade County. Broward had 174 reported deaths, while Palm Beach had 156.

Miami-Dade accounted for about 37 percent of the state's cases, with 11,570, followed by Broward with 4,794 and Palm Beach with 2,763.

The City of Miami had the most cases in the state, with 7,159, followed by Hialeah with 1,419. In Broward, Hollywood had 1,224 cases, and Fort Lauderdale had 1,100.

More than 5,000 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19 in the state to date.

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would soon announce whether he would lift edicts that shuttered much of the state’s economy because of the pandemic.

With his safer-at-home order set to expire Thursday, the governor said he'd be taking key actions in the coming days as he reviews recommendations from a task force he convened to guide him in his decision-making. DeSantis said that reopening the state would be done methodically to prevent a resurgence of the outbreak.

At a news conference Monday, DeSantis warned that Florida will slowly come back from shelter-in-place and other protective measures he has ordered.

"It's going to be very methodical, very data driven, and there's going to be probably some people that think it's too slow and I get that," he said. "But I think that the country's never gone through anything like this."

In making his decision to reopen the state, DeSantis said he would be hewing closely to White House guidance, which advocates a multi-phase approach. The criteria includes downward trends in infections and a diminished risk of a resurgence.

DeSantis said it was likely that South Florida would be slower to reopen than other parts of the state that hadn't been hit as hard by the virus.

There were some signs of stirring in South Florida on Monday. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach were announcing Monday they are reopening their parks, golf courses, marinas and some other recreation facilities this week with strict limitations. In Key West, beaches were reopened to residents although the Florida Keys remain closed to visitors.

Community leaders from Miami and Fort Lauderdale were also working on plans for the first phases of reopening Monday.