Southern states reported record numbers of COVID-19-related deaths as the nationwide death toll increased by about 1,600 in a single day.

The Florida state health department reported 253 new coronavirus deaths Thursday, its third straight single-day record of COVID-19 deaths. The state has confirmed 6,586 deaths. Despite record-breaking fatalities and more than 456,000 confirmed cases, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not issued a mask mandate.