Miami Is Becoming The 'Epicenter Of The Pandemic,' Expert Warns

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/14/890756801/miami-is-becoming-the-epicenter-of-the-pandemic-expert-warns?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=nprblogscoronavirusliveupdates



July 14, 202011:42 AM ET
Greg Allen


Florida posted its highest number of deaths yet from the coronavirus Tuesday. The state's Department of Health reported 132 deaths and 9,194 new positive cases.

It followed two days when Florida registered its highest number of new COVID-19 cases. On Sunday, Florida saw 15,300 cases, the most so far by any state.

Dr. Lilian Abbo, an infectious disease expert at the University of Miami, said, "Miami is now the epicenter of the pandemic. What we were seeing in Wuhan [in China] ... five months ago, now we are there." Addressing the public this week, she said, "We really need your help."

Elected officials and public health experts said the surge in cases in Florida began in mid-June and was caused by young people gathering at house parties and other locations. In recent days, doctors said the median age of people testing positive for the virus has been going up, a sign they said that young people have now spread the virus to older friends and family members.

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