Sunshine Sentinel

Florida’s economy continues to improve as positive COVID-19 cases fall in the state.

Following lockdown measures in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Florida was one of the first states to reopen its economy.

Florida's unemployment rate was 5% in August, which once again was below the national average, the Sunshine Sentinel reported earlier this month. Many jobs have become available though there are fewer positions than pre-COVID-19, especially in South Florida, WLRN reported.

The state's return to work initiative showed success in bringing employees back into the workforce. The unemployment rate has continued to drop during this period. The program helps connect people with job opportunities and even training if individuals are looking to move into a different area.

A decrease in positive cases has fueled the economic resurgence. There were 25,793 new COVID-19 cases from Oct. 1-8 for a positivity rate of 4.8%. Deaths attributed to the virus during that time reached 147. That brought the state’s total to 56,667. The state reported that 72% of its population age 12 or older has been vaccinated or approximately 13.7 million people.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ensured the at-risk and elderly in Florida were the first to gain access to the vaccines, Florida Politics reported. The governor has also been keen on investing in monoclonal antibody treatments, a treatment proven to reduce extreme symptoms and hospitalization in most cases if done early enough, the Sunshine Sentinel reported last month.