By SERA KING / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Florida has set a new single-day record for the highest number of reported cases of coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic.
Florida had 31,758 new COVID-19 cases reported on Friday, breaking a record for the most infections in a single day since the start of the pandemic in the US in March 2020, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new record was driven by the fast-moving omicron variant across the Sunshine State.
Previous to Friday, the single-day highest number of coronavirus cases was in late August, during the height of the delta variant wave in Florida, when 27,802 cases were reported.
Previous to Friday, the single-day highest number of coronavirus cases was in late August, during the height of the delta variant wave in Florida, when 27,802 cases were reported.
Tourism is seen as the driving force behind this most recent spread with cruise ships docking in South Florida ports and Christmas holiday travelers flying into Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
About the Byline Writer: Sera King is associate publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet in Lake Mary, FL serving greater Orlando, Sanford, and Daytona Beach via HeadlineSurfer.com since 2008. She's also a byline writer (business, community & sports features), a videographer, and a cartoonist for the media outlet. King received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Metro Orlando Campus of Ana G. Mendez University in 2008. Headline Surfer is published by Henry Frederick, Central Florida's award-winning journalist.