Florida posts over 5,000 new cases of coronavirus

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—florida posted 5,266 new coronavirus cases Monday, down from the past two days but continuing the high daily counts that have halted attempts to reopen the state more broadly.

The Florida Department of Health, which posts the daily updates, reported 28 additional deaths. The new cases tally falls below Saturday’s record-breaking count of 9,585 but continues the high numbers that have prevailed over the past week, leading to beach closures and increased enforcement. Broward, Miami-dade and Palm Beach counties all have announced plans to close beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. Palm Beach County instituted a mask requirement, and Broward County launched a crackdown on bars and other businesses that violate social distancing restrictions.

Elsewhere in Florida, the city of Jacksonville, where maskaverse U.S. President Donald Trump plans to accept the Republican nomination in August, also ordered the wearing of face coverings Monday.

Less than a week after Mayor Lenny Curry said there would be no mask requirement, city officials announced that coverings must be worn in “situations where individuals cannot socially distance.”

White House spokesperson Kayleigh Mcenany responded by saying the president’s advice is to “do whatever your local jurisdiction requests of you.”

Trump has refused to wear a mask during visits to states and businesses that require them.