As the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to sweep across the state and nation, Florida on Wednesday reported 17,589 new COVID-19 cases and 56 deaths, data released Thursday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.
Florida was responsible for about one in five new COVID-19 cases reported nationally Wednesday. It was the eighth straight day the CDC said Florida's daily total was above 12,000 new cases, and was the highest daily number since January.
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The nationwide death toll was 397 Wednesday, which means Florida accounted for 14 percent of the total deaths reported.
The data show that 48.7 percent of the state’s population was fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, putting Florida just below the 49.4 percent national average.
Meanwhile, the CDC report also shows that 405,968 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered to residents and staff members in Florida assisted living facilities and nursing homes as of Wednesday.
The report showed that 174,690 staff and residents were considered fully vaccinated.
Florida has 692 nursing homes and 3,169 assisted living facilities.
The CDC this week revised mask requirements for fully vaccinated people, with the government recommending that they wear masks in indoor public places in areas of “substantial or high” transmission.
The rising case numbers also have prompted some hospitals across the state to require staff members to get vaccinated.
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