“Florida, unlike most other states, doesn’t track probable cases. A large share of the people who are tested are tested when they arrive at the ER. And if they’re not a case, then that doesn’t count as an active hospitalization until their positive test result is received by the Department of Health,” Jones told CNN’s New Day on July 8. She continued: “I was flat-out told repeatedly that we were not adding hospitalization data, even though all of our epidemiologists said it was one of the most important indicators of how our health care system is handling the influx of cases.” Jones said if comprehensive data was shown—including probable cases—we would see that Florida has been “underreporting dramatically.” Additionally, she said, the state “might see a huge spike in not only cases but also deaths.” Although the Florida Department of Health does not make the comprehensive data public themselves, it is available on a new dashboard Jones launched herself. She said she has contacts at the Department of Health who occasionally provide her with documentation. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. When asked if she sees an end in sight for Florida’s COVID outbreak, Jones said, “absolutely not,” especially with schools throughout the state mandated to reopen next month. “If schools are opening next month, then we’re on a third wave of this first wave of catastrophe,” Jones said. “I really hope people take this seriously. I think the consequences of not doing so have been made quite public this week.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb On July 4, Florida reported 11,458 new coronavirus cases, shattering its single-day record from earlier in the week. As of July 8, the state is reporting nearly 223,800 total cases and almost 3,900 deaths. And for more on Florida, check out This Major City Is Locking Down Again as Coronavirus Surges.
