3 times as many people died in August; Florida to issue $5,000 fines for anyone requiring proof of vaccination: Latest COVID-19 updates
Florida is the state of fools …….
The delta variant-driven COVID-19 surge made August one of the worst months of the entire pandemic.
The U.S. reported almost 4.22 million new coronavirus cases in August alone, making it the fourth-worst month for infections. And 26,805 Americans died of COVID-19,
more than three times the July total. The last week of August was deadlier than all of July.
At the latest pace, an American is dying of COVID every 1 minute, 5 seconds. Every minute, another 111 Americans are testing positive, nearly two per second. Compared to the last week of July, there were 105% more cases and 268% more deaths in the final week of August.
Among the states with their worst month ever for cases: Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon and Washington, in addition to the U.S. Virgin Islands:
- Hawaii's cases grew by 232% compared to its previous highest month.
- Louisiana saw 62% more cases.
- Mississippi had 49% more cases in August than the previous worst month.
- Oregon was 47% worse.
Meanwhile, Florida reported its worst month of deaths in the pandemic, reaching 4,900 fatalities in August.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is not only doubling but tripling down against those trying to impose measures to fight off the coronavirus in the state.
Two days after the DeSantis administration followed through on his threat to withhold funds from school districts that defied his ban on mask mandates, the Republican governor's office confirmed that Florida will start issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools and governments that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
DeSantis signed a bill in May that banned vaccine passports, and last week the state's Department of Health established how it would be enforced. The fines will start Sept. 16.
DeSantis is also engaged in a legal fight against Norwegian Cruise Line, which sails out of Florida ports, and its requirement that passengers show proof of vaccination.
Death becomes him.