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DeSantis Hoping To Decrease Positivity Rate Of COVID-19

Governor Ron DeSantis is speaking into a microphone. His hands are in the air. Behind him is a white backdrop that reads, "Orlando Health."
John Raoux
/
AP Photo
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Orlando Regional Medical Center Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. DeSantis spoke about Florida's caseload of coronavirus topping 100,000.

Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida is still in good shape despite rising coronavirus cases. He's focusing on the positivity rate—which has gone up from four to five percent in May to 12%.

"The increase cases are being driven a lot of it because you are seeing much more spread amongst the younger demographic. I think that that positivity rate we'd like to turn that and get that going in a downward direction," DeSantis says.

During his Coronavirus press conference on Sunday, Studer Family Children's Hospital's Jason Foland says young people are getting infected and dying from the virus. Now, Foland says, there's a theory that COVID-19 is mutating into a less aggressive strain.

"People in the beginning who were getting sick and dying weren't spreading the virus, and on top of that, elderly populations were isolating themselves. So we're seeing maybe a less virulent or less strong virus spread throughout the community in a population that doesn't have a lot of symptoms such as the 18 to 30-year-olds," Foland says.

Foland explains there still needs to be scientific studies to back up the less aggressive strain theory.

Robbie Gaffney graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Animal Crossing, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.