US coronavirus cases surge as Florida sets record

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The coronavirus pandemic continued to rage Tuesday in the US with the state of Florida recording its highest-ever number of one-day virus-related deaths.

Florida tallied 132 new COVID-19 deaths Monday, the highest number since 109 were reported July 9. The state's death toll now sits at 4,409, according to the Florida Department of Health. More than 9,1000 new cases were recorded Monday, bringing the statewide total to over 291,000.

The state has quickly become the new epicenter of the US outbreak after being among the first to reopen from virus-related closures.

The states of California and Texas have also seen swelling numbers of coronavirus cases with 334,921 confirmed in California and 269,778 in Texas, according to a running tally compiled by Maryland-based Johns Hopkins University.

In Houston, Texas' largest city, hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed by surging numbers of patients suffering from the virus, and intensive care units are at capacity.

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered nearly all indoor-related activities halted Monday, including dining at restaurants and patronizing bars.

More than 3.3 million people have tested positive for the virus nationwide, which has a death toll of almost 136,000, according to Johns Hopkins.