Florida, Texas and Arizona see record highs for new COVID-19 cases

One governor parrots the White House and attributes his state’s rise in numbers to an increase in testing

Three Republican-led states are seeing a record number of new COVID-19 cases since their reopening. Florida, Texas, and Arizona are all seeing record high increases.

Three Republican-led states are seeing a record number of new COVID-19 cases since their reopening. Florida, Texas, and Arizona are all seeing record high increases.

Florida recorded 2,610 new cases Wednesday —just below Tuesday’s record of 2,783 — and the death toll rose from 2,993 to 3,018.

READ MORE: Florida health officials walk back report that more than 260 Orlando airport workers tested positive for COVID-19

Yet, Governor Ron DeSantis said he has no plans of another state shutdown.

“No, we’re not shutting down, you know, we’re going to go forward,” DeSantis said, “You have to have society function.”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EqV56xsXcxMaCQhYDdQhc

“Florida is actively searching for COVID-positive individuals to provide immediate treatment and contact tracing to help prevent the broader spread of the disease,” a spokesperson from the governor’s office told ABC News. “This is evident in the 30 state-operated testing sites throughout Florida that include areas with vulnerable and/or underserved communities. This aggressive testing strategy is proving to be successful and will continue.”

Miami Mayor, Francis Suarez, said the city will not move into the next phase of reopening due to coronavirus concerns.

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – APRIL 29: Players wearing face masks warm up on the range at the Miami Beach Golf Club on April 29, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. The city of Miami Beach partially reopened parks and facilities including golf courses, tennis courts and marinas as it begins easing restrictions made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

Texas governor, Greg Abbott, attributed his state’s rise in numbers to an increase in testing. The state has seen an 85% increase in cases including an additional 1,476 prison inmates. Abbott has said that the state is better prepared for COVID-19 cases than in the early months of the pandemic.

In Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey is urging citizens to wear face coverings but refuses to issue a state mandate of the practice. He, too, has stated that the increased numbers could be due to an increase in testing. An idea that has been refuted by medical practitioners in the state, and Democratic leaders.

READ MORE: Black women politicians take on COVID-19 pandemic, social justice

The state has reported over 1,800 new cases.

State representative Kelli Butler, a Democrat, accused Ducey of “spending more time trying to deflect criticism and spar with health experts and reporters than work on actual solutions to mitigate the spread of disease,” Butler said. “With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Arizona next week, I do wonder if the governor is doing more right now to please Trump than keep Arizonans safe.”

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s new podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZuyOfTmcLfkxzqMdftiCV

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YArZmbRx2yzax6j7D4OvU

SHARE THIS ARTICLE