TAMPA, Fla. -- Health experts say the real problem lies in the fact that the percentage positive has been over 10 percent for weeks, keeping the pandemic a healthcare emergency.
Over the past couple of days, Florida’s positive COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed reaching a record number of daily cases.
"Yesterday, for Sunday, they reported 12,000 cases. A week ago, they reported 6,000 cases. That’s not a good trend," said Dr. Thomas Unnasch, a distinguished professor from the College of Public Health at USF.
Despite the high numbers, the percent positive has seen a slight dip going from more than 18 percent a few days ago to just below 12 percent in the last two days.
Back in June, the number of cases was doubling in Hillsborough County every week.
Unnasch says the doubling rate has now slowed and he gives credit to the mask ordinances.
"Since July 1, which is right when we would expect to see the effects of the mask ordinance, it has gone from 7.6 days to (now cases doubling in) 54 days," said Unnasch.
Experts say the numbers are still too high and right now, it's more important than ever to wear a mask and social distance.
"We’re at a really sensitive point right now, where any additional number of cases over the past few weeks could really overload our healthcare system here," said Unnasch.