Florida Posts 20,133 New COVID-19 Cases, Second Highest Ever

WUSF | By Mark Schreiner

Published August 6, 2021 at 6:18 AM EDT

Microscopic view of Coronavirus, a pathogen that attacks the respiratory tract. Analysis and test, experimentation. Sars. 3d render

Florida reported 20,133 more people tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, the second highest daily total for the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recorded 84 new COVID-19-related deaths, but those deaths may have occurred in the days and weeks prior.

Thursday's report only trails the 21,683 cases reported on July 31.

The 7-day rolling average climbed to 18,120 cases.

In addition, 12,888 people were hospitalized statewide with a COVID-19 diagnosis Thursday. It's the fourth straight day that hospitalizations set a new record as some Florida hospitals temporarily suspend elective surgeries and face staff shortages.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data shows that 88.68% of Florida's ICU hospital beds are in use, with 39.54% of them being used by COVID-19 patients.

Overall, 84.15% of the state's inpatient beds were being used on Thursday, with 22.03% of those being used by COVID-19 patients.