The coronavirus updates started 2021 with grim numbers, as the Florida Department of Health reported on Saturday a combined 31,518 cases for the preceding two days, bringing the statewide total to 1,354,833.
In addition, the last day of 2020 saw over 17,000 cases, making it the highest single-day increase for the state during the pandemic.
The dramatic spike in cases is hitting home, too.
The newest update added 519 infections to Volusia County and 48 to Flagler County. Thursday also reported both Volusia and Flagler counties highest single-day increases, with 320 and 87 new cases, respectively.
Florida’s resident death toll from coronavirus rose to 21,890 with the reporting of an additional 217 deaths. Three deaths were added to the state s non-resident death count, bringing it to 320.
A North Atlantic right whale mother and her calf have made the area their cozy vacation spot for most of Christmas week. It s the second pair of mothers and calves spotted in Volusia and Flagler counties so far this calving season.
Confirmed by the Marine Resources Council, the right whale mother nicknamed Chimenea and her calf have been seen moving up and down the coast of Flagler County since Sunday, traveling from Palm Coast to Flagler Beach twice.
On Thursday, what was assumed to be the pair were also spotted in Daytona Beach.
These weren t the first sightings of this particular mother and calf. The pair was first spotted on Dec. 4 off Cumberland Island, Georgia. The calf is 13-year-old Chimenea s first. Julie Albert, right whale coordinator with the Marine Resources Council, said they seem to be doing just fine so far.
From the time he was in kindergarten, Daniel Williams has loved the stars.
Growing up, they were everywhere. From glow-in-the-dark stickers of stars and planets on his ceiling, to space themed furniture, he couldn t get enough.
Monday evening, as an 18-year-old Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University student, Williams got to witness history.
At dusk, Williams and likely thousands of others across Volusia and Flagler counties looked to the western sky. For the first time in 800 years, people witnessed what s known as the Great Conjunction or the Christmas Star. Jupiter and Saturn aligned closely enough to appear as a single, extra-bright body. It s amazing to see history in the making like this. It s really, truly beautiful, Williams said. And, you know, with the year we ve had, it s a good way to end things. What brings your eyes up to the sky also brings you back down. That s what I love about this. It keeps you grounded.