The previous epidemic waves had already been complicated to manage, but the current one "seems to be even worse", in the words of a nurse interviewed by NBC.
Florida has been the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in the United States for a few weeks and all indicators are reaching record levels, against the backdrop of conflict between the Biden administration and the governor of this Republican state of 21.5 million inhabitants.
As of Saturday, 23,903 positive cases were identified in 24 hours in Florida.
On average over the past week, almost 20,000 infected people are counted daily, unheard of since the start of the pandemic.
Reported to the population, this would represent 60,000 positive cases per day in France.
And children are not spared, with 20,000 cases recorded in Florida among minors during the last week of July.
Like almost everywhere in the world, and particularly in France, this epidemic outbreak is "carried" by the Delta variant, which is very contagious.
This would represent at least 65% of the positive cases sequenced in Florida.
"Unfortunately, here is the result"
The health system is already severely impacted. More than 13,500 Covid patients were hospitalized on August 7, again more than in previous peaks. In some hospitals, almost all of the admitted patients are sick with Covid-19. And the Florida division of health group AdventHealth has already announced the postponement of elective surgeries to free up beds and resources.
"The overwhelming majority of patients are unvaccinated people and they appear to be younger than before," Dr. Marc Napp, chief medical officer at South Broward Hospital, told the Miami Herald. A finding that can be found in other developed countries, such as France and the United Kingdom. "You have a lot of vulnerable people in Florida, add to that a general easing of measures like mask wearing and social distancing and, unfortunately, here is the result," lamented to NBC Jason Salemi, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida.
Yet, with 59.4% of its population having received at least one dose of vaccine and 49.5% fully vaccinated, Florida is on par with the United States as a whole.
But such rates remain largely insufficient to guarantee collective immunity of the population.
Especially when the state governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, continues to oppose measures taken or recommended by the federal government.
Political conflict
This faithful of Donald Trump, at the head of Florida for two and a half years, has just passed a decree prohibiting schools from requiring the wearing of masks - he prefers that parents decide if they wish.
But several districts have ignored it, even if families are not always in favor.
"I must make decisions that protect the health and well-being of our students and our staff," said Acting Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke in a statement relayed by Newsweek.
Several amusement parks have done the same and once again require visitors to wear masks.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a press conference.
JOE RAEDLE
According to Ron DeSantis, supported by much of the population, vaccines are the best way to fight the virus while the new restrictions are barriers to freedom.
An opinion that does not share President Joe Biden, whose administration is increasing its calls for caution in the face of this increasingly critical situation.
Read also Vaccination race: how the United States, gone far ahead, find themselves left behind
And this disagreement escalates into political conflict. The governor of Florida accuses Joe Biden of "helping to facilitate" the spread of the virus by not securing the country's southern border with Mexico. While he said this week “not wanting to talk about Covid on behalf of” the American president, the latter reacted ironically on Thursday by letting go in front of the press: “Governor who? ". In the process and in a less civilized tone, White House press secretary Jen Psaki accused Ron DeSantis of "taking measures that go against public health recommendations."
