Florida coronavirus numbers may not be as bad as they seem

Florida reported a record-breaking 15,300 new coronavirus cases last week — the single largest number of positive cases in one day since the coronavirus pandemic first reached the United States. This report led many to believe that Florida had lost control of COVID-19 and that its leaders needed to reintroduce restrictions to prevent further spread. But a closer look at the numbers suggests that Florida’s situation might not be as dire as it seems.

One hospital, Orlando Health, disputed the department’s numbers and said that its positivity rate was 9.4%,...