Florida marks its deadliest week since start of Covid pandemic

Florida has recorded its highest weekly death toll from Covid with 1,727 deaths in the week ending 26 August – beating the previous record from the week before.

Cases have been surging in the state and healthcare facilities have been overwhelmed. The state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has recently been embroiled in a battle to ban local mask mandates that are intended to stop the spread of the virus.

Florida has lower vaccination rates than the national average, with many taking their cue from the Republican governor, rumoured to be planning a presidential run.