A startling rise in COVID-19 cases in Palm Beach County, Fla., has reportedly raised alarms it may emerge as a hotspot for the potentially deadly disease.
Citing an interagency update on the nation’s coronavirus response circulated by the Department of Homeland Security, Yahoo News reported Friday the Florida county, San Bernardino County, Calif., and Marshall County, Ala., have all experienced worrisome rises.
“As most states have begun phased re-opening, several COVID-19 hotspots continue to emerge,” the notice says.
“Palm Beach County, FL reported a 71 percent increase in new cases the last 7 days compared to the previous 7 days,” the document stated. “The state authorized Palm Beach County to begin Phase 1 of reopening on 11 May, which includes the reopening of barbershops, salons, restaurants, and other businesses.”
President Donald Trump recently changed his primary residence from New York City to Palm Beach County. Though the whole state reopened Monday, other parts started the process on May 4.
The DHS document says San Bernardino County “reported an increase of 782 cases in the last 7 days, nearly doubling new cases reported in the previous 7 days. County officials recently began Phase II of the county’s reopening plan, lifting requirements for mask use on 8 May.”
The document states that Marshall County “reported 217 cases in the last 7 days, a 517% increase over the previous 7 days. Marshall County is home to several poultry plants and the meat packing industry accounts for 8% of the county’s employment. On 11 May, additional businesses were reopened.”
Population density is believed to contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Encompassing the beachfront and inland communities north of Miami, Palm Beach County has a population density about four times that of Marshall County, and seven times that of San Bernardino County, according to Yahoo News.
The coronavirus also hits older people hardest. The average age of a Palm Beach County resident is 45 -- and contains a number of retirement communities -- while the average Marshall County resident is 39 and the average San Bernardino County resident is 33, Yahoo News reported.
Florida was one of the first states to reopen, and allegations surfaced last week the state has underreported its coronavirus numbers, according to the Miami Herald.
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