U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The governor claims a lot of people - many healthy, low-risk and asymtomatic - are getting tested over and over out of fear rather than need, but they are free to do so.

In a letter sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Dr. Joseph Ladapo wrote that federal agencies should not be controlling COVID options. He asked that Florida be able to pursue unlimited acquisition of any treatment.

The CDC reported 20,194 new cases were added since Tuesday's report, bringing the state's total to 3,799,661.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 54,063 Floridians have died from COVID-19 related complications.

DeSantis has been critical of the Biden administration over its COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

The 7-day rolling average of cases climbed to an unprecedented 18,933 people.

Thursday's report only trails the 21,683 cases reported on July 31.

The state had 10,207 people hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 cases — the highest single day number reported, topping the previous record on July 23, 2020.

The analysis showed that 284 of the 704 Florida licensed facilities had gone without surveys.

Most of the federal contracts with companies involved in the crash program to make COVID-19 vaccines haven't been made public. The lack of disclosure raises questions about accountability.

States are preparing guidelines for when there's not enough care to go around. Disability groups are worried that those standards will allow rationing that excludes people with disabilities.

President Trump and Congress Friday authorized a package of emergency funding to help and treat and slow the spread of COVID-19. About $950 million is designated for state and local response.