TAMPA, Fla. — As Florida continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases from the delta variant, the latest forecast from the Mayo Clinic offers up a sobering look at what is likely coming for the state just one day before school starts.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 forecast tool, almost all of Florida will have cases above 100 per 100,000 and most of the counties around Tampa will be reporting more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 per day.

Statewide, the Mayo Clinic forecast tool said Florida will be reporting a seven-day rolling average of 49,398 cases of COVID-19 per day by August 9, a 132% increase from the current numbers. The overall range showed Florida could be reporting just 31,357 cases on the low end or 83,548 on the high end.

Looking at the county level, the numbers show a rapidly spreading disease. Hillsborough County is expected to be reporting 3,744 new cases of COVID-19 daily and will have 277 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000. If those numbers prove accurate, Hillsborough will see an increase in daily cases and per 100,000 cases of 152% from today’s numbers. While that’s high, other counties will see an even larger jump.

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/coronavirus/fla-forecast-to-report-more-than-83-000-new-cases-of-covid-per-day-by-aug-9

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/28/ford-reinstates-mask-mandates-at-facilities-in-missouri-and-florida.html

Ford is reinstating mask requirements for workers and visitors at facilities in Missouri and Florida, both of which are considered emerging hot spots for a new Delta variant of the coronavirus.

The company also will require U.S. employees planning international business travel to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker confirmed Wednesday.

“The health and safety of our workforce continues to be our top priority. With a data-driven approach to our global COVID-19 protocols and the increase in cases in specific U.S. regions, Ford is reinstating face mask protocols in select states,” Felker said in an emailed statement. “We will continue to evaluate COVID-19 case data to make further protocol changes.”