Florida, Mississippi report record increases in COVID-19 deaths

California and Florida, two of the most populous U.S. states, reported record increases in COVID-19 deaths on Friday, according to a Reuters tally. Florida reported 257 deaths and California 208 fatalities. In numerical terms, the loss of life in each state is roughly equivalent to the number of passengers on a single-aisle airplane. California became the first U.S. state to have over half a million cases on Friday. Florida is in second place with over 470,000 infections. California’s death toll rose to over 9,200, the third highest in the country behind New York and New Jersey. Florida ranks eighth with nearly 7,000 deaths. California and Florida are among 19 states that saw cases more than double in July.