Miami now 'epicenter' of coronavirus pandemic, top doctor says

MIAMI, Florida -- A top Florida doctor says the state's rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases is turning Miami into the "epicenter of the pandemic."

That assessment came as Florida recorded more than 12,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday after a record-setting weekend. The spike partly reflects the larger number of tests being performed, but also a high percentage of those returning positive.

While the outbreak has been spreading through much of the state, it has hit South Florida particularly hard.

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As of Sunday, the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. tops 3.2 million, with more than 134,000 deaths.

Florida International University epidemiologist Dr. Aileen Marty called the region's situation "extremely grave." She says the public is not taking the virus seriously enough, ignoring rules on large gatherings, social distancing and wearing masks in public places.

Dr. Lilian Abbo is the chief for infection prevention at Jackson Health System. She described nurses and doctors working around the clock and some of them getting sick.

She added: "Miami is now the epicenter of the pandemic. What we were seeing in Wuhan six months ago, now we are there."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.