Florida’s new coronavirus cases top 2,000 for second straight day after state rushed to reopen

Supporters of President Trump wave at motorcycles coming over the Main Street Bridge as hundreds of boats idle under the downtown bridge on the St. Johns River during a rally Sunday in Jacksonville. (Will Dickey--/AP)

Coronavirus continues to spread rapidly through Florida as stores, restaurants and theme parks reopen for business.

The state Department of Health reported 2,016 new cases Sunday, down from Saturday’s reported cases of 2,581, but the 11th day out of the past 12 with more than 1,000 new infections.

Six new coronavirus deaths were reported Sunday, bringing the state total to 2,931.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that the massive rise in cases was due to increased testing.

“What we’re seeing is of the people that are testing positive way more are in the (age) 25 to 45 than was happening two months ago,” he said at a press conference. “The clinical consequences of them testing positive is usually very, very modest because they are not in the high-risk groups.”

The spike comes as multiple sports leagues are planning to return to Florida, including the NBA with 22 teams set to resume at Disney World at the end of July in a “bubble” environment.

Universal Studios reopened on June 5 and Disney plans to welcome back guests on July 11, while Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has promised a “full arena” for the Republican National Convention in August.

“We were able to demonstrate the ability to put together and put on an event in a safe, responsible way as we emerge from COVID-19,” he said on Fox Saturday. “We were responsible during the pandemic. We ... flattened the curve pretty quickly over time. Our hospitalizations are low.

“We’re not going to operate out of fear. We are going to operate out of data, science, and get people back to work in a responsible way. And that’s what this convention is."

But some restaurants around the state have already shut down again, fearing a second wave or even premature calls of the end to the first.

“This is unfortunate and unexpected and we apologize for any inconvenience,” Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grille in Tarpon Springs wrote on Facebook Saturday, announcing that they would close until at least Tuesday. “We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.”

Kiwi’s Pub in Altamonte Springs reported that six people who had eaten there in the last week have tested positive.

“This may seem like an extravagant step, however we are taking no chances with the health of our staff and our customers. I urge anybody with ANY kind of unusual symptoms to keep their distance from others until they have been cleared by medical professionals or quarantined for 14 days,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

“It is heartbreaking to feel that we have to take this drastic step. We feel that your time at Kiwis is supposed to be a fun and relaxing experience and currently I don’t feel that we can guarantee that. We will be constantly monitoring the situation and will reopen the restaurant as soon as we feel confident that we can provide a safe and healthy environment.”