NEWS: Florida Hits Milestone of 5 Million Reported COVID-19 Cases

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.

Since the beginning of the global health crisis, the state of Florida has seen a record number of COVID-19 cases. As a result, we’ve seen health and safety guidelines at Disney World change and adapt.

Spaceship Earth

Now as the country is dealing with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the state of Florida recently hit a milestone of over 70,000 daily reported cases. And as of now, the state has reached another COVID-19 milestone.

WFTV9 reports that the state of Florida has now reached a total of 5 million COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. This makes it only the third state to reach that number, behind California and Texas. It is also now third in the total number of cases in the U.S.

Mask Signage at Disney World

Only a week ago, the Florida Department of Health reported a total of 4.5 million cases, with that weekly total increasing by almost 100,000 from the previous week. At the time, one out of all three new COVID-19 tests was positive.

Indoor Mask Sign

In Orange County, where Disney World is located, cases have also increased. In December, the county was listed as a COVID-19 hotspot, meaning that it had “reached a threshold of disease activity considered as being of high burden.” And the state recently changed its guidelines for COVID-19 testing, recommending that only symptomatic individuals — especially those who are at high-risk — get tested.

Face mask sign

However, the U.S. Surgeon General has commented that the U.S. is nearing its peak for Omicron cases, and although hospitalizations are expected to continue to rise over the next few weeks, the overall numbers should start going down soon.

If you’re headed to Disney World soon, please note that masks are still required for all guests ages two and up in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status. This includes once you’ve entered an indoor line and for all indoor rides, as well as inside indoor restaurants unless you are actively eating or drinking while stationary. Masks are also required on all Disney transportation, including the Monorail, buses, and Skyliner.