FORT MYERS, Fla. — According to the latest report from the White House coronavirus task force, Florida is in the midst of a 'full covid-19 resurgence'.
The spike in cases has now pushed the state into the ‘Red Zone’. Currently, Florida ranks 11 nationwide with 586 new cases per 100,000 people. The national average is 532 cases per 100,000. The state ranks 26 when it comes to test positivity rate, according to the report.
Jayanta Gupta, Director of Public Health at Florida Gulf Coast University, believes holiday travel is partly to blame.
"It was kind of anticipated that after winter break the cases will spike. And you know people might become a little more relaxed as time goes on and as the vaccine has become available," says Gupta.
The virus also mutated overseas and new strands are causing strict lockdowns in European countries.
Variants of the virus have arrived here in Florida.
"The new variant, which is called the UK variant virus is continually mutating so there may be new strains which are more transmissible and causing an increase in community transmission," says Gupta.
Local business owner Kyle at Millenial Brewing, says this won't change how he operates his brewery.
"We have always had the same mentality. Which is from a business prospective, the environment that we provide were going to keep everything safe. The staff is going to wear masks. Were going to be very diligent about disinfecting and keeping things clean," says Kyle.
The lower the transmission rate, the White House is suggesting the state test more asymptomatic people to slow the spread.
