Florida now has more than 30,500 COVID-19 cases and attributes more than 1,000 deaths to the virus. (Florida Dept. of Health)

HOLT, Fla., April 24, 2020—Florida reached a milestone today as it recorded more than 1,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Additionally, the state now has more than 30,500 positive virus cases.

According to data from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Florida has the ninth highest COVID-19 cases in the world.

This comes at a time when states are considering easing up on stay-at-home orders designed to help reduce the number of positive cases.

April 23 indicates the third highest peak for new COVID-19 cases. (Florida Dept. of Health)

According to the Florida Dept. of Health data, April 23 showed the third highest peak of new cases across the state with an additional 1,072 cases added.

In Okaloosa County, the majority of the 140 cases are in the south, with only 16 north of Interstate 10.

Crestview has 15 cases and Laurel Hill has one. There are still zero cases reported west of the Yellow River.

Other cases in Okaloosa include:

• Fort Walton Beach, 56
• Destin, 28
• Niceville, 21
• Shalimar, 12
• Mary Esther, 5
• Eglin Air Force Base, 2

There are 28 residents or staff members in long-term care facilities who have tested positive for the virus.

In addition, Okaloosa County attributes three deaths to the coronavirus, two men and one woman, all elderly.

Gov. Ron Desantis established a reopen Florida task force this week. The working group made recommendations to him today; however, no decisions on when and how to reopen Florida’s economy has been made.