Florida reports highest COVID-19 case increase in two months

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida reported its highest increase in coronavirus cases since February on Tuesday.

The increase comes the day after the state reported its lowest increase in cases since last year.

READ: Coronavirus: US health agencies call for pause in use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

On Tuesday the state reported 9,068 new cases of the virus bringing the total number in the state since the pandemic began to 2,134,914.

The last time Florida saw that many new cases was Feb. 5 when the state reported 11,543 new cases.

On Monday the state only saw an increase of 1,613 cases.

READ: Stimulus update: Checks for veterans set for Wednesday; more people getting ‘plus-up’ payments

On Tuesday the state also reported an additional 64 virus-related deaths, which brings the state’s total death toll to 34,784.

Nine of the latest deaths were reported in Volusia County.

The increases come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration recommended a pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine as officials investigate blood clots reported in six individuals who received the vaccine.

READ: Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause: What is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis?

According to a news conference on Tuesday, FDA and CDC researchers will be examining the possible links between the vaccine and the disorder, called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. FDA officials will decide if its authorization of the use of the vaccine should be reexamined.

According to the FDA, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is being seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets, or cells that cause blood to clot.

READ: J&J vaccine pause: What should you do if you’ve already gotten the vaccine

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a blood clot that forms in a portion of the brain called the venous sinuses. The venous sinuses help to drain blood from the brain as blood circulates through the body.

The thrombosis, or clot, prevents blood from draining out of the brain. Because blood is prevented from leaving the brain in this usual way, it can leak into brain tissue and cause a hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain.

The clot and bleeding cause a stroke. Click here to read more.