6 hours ago by Mackenzie Guiry (WJCT)
Play Audio
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis puts on his mask as he leaves a news conference at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Monday, July 13, 2020, in Miami. DeSantis acknowledged Monday that the new coronavirus is spreading and urged people to take precautions such as wearing masks in public places, social distancing and avoiding crowds. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
COVID cases have surged in Florida in the past few weeks amid a plateau of vaccination rates and the spread of the Delta variant.
Florida had 45,603 cases as of July 9, accounting for 1-in-5 new cases of COVID-19 nationwide.
However, Gov. Ron DeSantis is shrugging off the spike as a “seasonal” phenomenon (which public health experts say is not the case), and he has remained staunch in his opposition to mandating masks in schools despite the fact that children under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. He also says that he will not consider another lockdown for the state.
Red tide prediction map shows worsening conditions on Pinellas County beaches
Justin Matthews reports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The red tide crisis is ruining a lot of people s plans for a day at the beach in Pinellas County but thanks to researchers at the University of South Florida, there s a way to look at the forecast of red tide for the next few days.
Researchers at USF are taking data of how much red tide there is and measuring ocean currents to figure out where the blooms are going and when.
The map may look like a toddler had some fun with a crayon, but the squiggly lines show crucial information about Karenia brevis or red tide and where it s flowing in the bay and the gulf.
Florida Roundup: Hospitals, Health Workers Respond To COVID Surge; Red Tide Persists usf.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from usf.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tons of Dead Fishes: Tampa Bay Will Be "Dead Zone" if Red Tide Doesn't End Soon natureworldnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from natureworldnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.