Florida Battles Record Covid-19 Hospitalizations, as Delta Variant Surges

The Delta-driven surge has hit a younger population than prior surges while filling hospital beds at a rapid clip, according to the Florida Hospital Association, which represents health centers in the state. The number of Covid-19 hospitalizations in Florida jumped from 2,000 to 10,000 in 30 days during this current surge, double the pace seen last summer, said

Mary Mayhew,

the association’s chief executive.

“This is putting 25-year-olds in the hospital, in intensive care and on ventilators,” Ms. Mayhew said.

She said the Delta surge is also coinciding with a surge in hospital visits for other reasons, including other respiratory infections and a catch-up effect from delayed care during the pandemic, adding to pressure on hospitals. She also noted that more than 90% of the people hospitalized for Covid-19 aren’t vaccinated.

“The sense of urgency to get vaccinated can’t get overstated,” Ms. Mayhew said.

Florida’s seven-day average is about 17,630 new Covid-19 cases a day through Tuesday, around the level last reached during last winter’s surge, according to federal data. The state trails only Louisiana in the seven-day rate of new cases per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Republican

Gov. Ron DeSantis

said at a news conference Tuesday that the media were fixated on cases and fearmongering but that vaccinations focused early on elderly people would make the outbreak less deadly than prior ones.

“Our hospitals are open for business,” Mr. DeSantis said, while saying people shouldn’t avoid emergency care for other kinds of health problems.

Florida’s seven-day average for newly reported deaths is 61 a day, according to the CDC. That number is less than a third of the state’s peak average for new deaths, hit one year ago, but is also up from daily averages in the 20s as recently as mid-July.

Age is a significant risk factor for Covid-19 deaths, and nationwide data show the oldest Americans have declined as a share of overall virus deaths since vaccines started rolling out. Deaths are also a lagging indicator, so the mortality impact from the current surge in cases remains to be seen.

Throughout the pandemic, Mr. DeSantis has ruled out Covid-19-mitigation efforts like mask mandates or proof of vaccination. “In terms of shutting down, we’re not shutting down,” the governor said Tuesday.

Cities, states and businesses around the U.S. are steadily reintroducing some restrictions aimed at trying to slow the spread of Covid-19, as authorities try to boost vaccination rates. New York City on Tuesday rolled out a requirement for proof of vaccination for some indoor activities. Other locales have brought back mask requirements or recommendations.

In Florida, Mr. DeSantis issued an executive order Friday banning schools from requiring masks after several school boards considered or implemented mask mandates.

President Biden criticized mask-mandate bans in some states and said that businesses and schools should be empowered to take action.

“I say to these governors, please help. But if you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people that are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives,” Mr. Biden said during an event at the White House.

—Alex Leary and Aydali Campa contributed to this article.

Write to Jon Kamp at jon.kamp@wsj.com