Florida hits new Covid-19 record ahead of Pence visit

TALLAHASSEE — Florida set a new record for coronavirus cases, reporting more than 10,100 new infections as Vice President Mike Pence was to meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday to discuss the state’s response to the outbreak.

The mounting case numbers up the political pressure on DeSantis, a Republican, as Florida prepares to host marquee events of the Republican National Convention in late August, including Trump's acceptance speech.

The state reported more than 169,000 cases in total as it enters the second phase of its economic reopening following an April lockdown. When Pence visited in late May, grabbing a hamburger with the governor at an Orlando restaurant, the state had fewer than 50,000 cases.

The 10,109 infections added to the state’s cumulative total included 9,558 new positive test results from Wednesday. The remaining 551 positive results were collected by the State Department of Health earlier in the week but required investigation before they were added to the cumulative total. More than 14.5 percent of people tested Wednesday were diagnosed with Covid-19, according to the state Department of Health.

Florida also reported a record number of new hospitalizations — 325 — beating the prior high of 265 set May 21, just after the state went into its full phase one reopening.

The state reported 67 new deaths, a daily high since the full phase one reopening May 18. The one-day death record in Florida was 83 on April 28.

Pence, wearing a dark blue mask, arrived at Tampa International Airport, where he was greeted on the tarmac by DeSantis, in a light blue mask.

DeSantis, a Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, has bristled at criticism over the rising number of viral cases and said he has no plans to impose new restrictions, although his administration last week told bars to stop selling alcohol on site.

DeSantis has attributed the rise in cases to more testing, clusters of farmworkers falling ill, and spread among young people who are at less risk of getting seriously ill or dying.

DeSantis also has refused to implement a statewide mask mandate, questioning how it could be enforced. A wave of cities and counties have put their own mask rules in place, including Jacksonville, where Republican National Convention events will be held.

The rise in hospital admissions has prompted several to cut down on elective surgeries.

Pence’s official visit was supposed to dovetail with Trump campaign stops that were canceled due to the spread of the coronavirus, which made stumping at a “Great American Comeback” event too potentially dangerous and awkward.

Pence also canceled a campaign stop in Arizona but on Wednesday made an official visit to that battleground, which also posted a record case increase that coincided with his arrival.

The Trump administration has also dispatched HHS Secretary Alex Azar to crucial battleground states, including Florida.

In a nod to the importance of Florida as the nation’s biggest swing state, Trump’s re-election campaign has poured money into TV ads, spending and reserving $9.5 million worth of air time from May through July and then, this week, reserving another $36 million for Florida ads from September through Election Day, according to Advertising Analytics.

Democrat Joe Biden, who leads in every recent public poll of the state, is at the tail end of a $1.5 million statewide ad buy he reserved in June.

Ahead of Pence’s visit, Democrats lashed out at the Republican response to Covid-19.

“The governor has been meek, he has been following the lead of the White House,” said Rep. Donna Shalala, a Miami Democrat and former head of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton. “I don’t know why he ran for governor if he didn’t want to make hard decisions.”

Arek Sarkissian contributed to this report.