PICTURED: Miami’s beaches are abandoned just two weeks after they were packed with Spring Breakers

PICTURED: Miami’s beaches are abandoned just two weeks after they were packed with Spring Breakers – as the city is turned into a ghost town amid fears it could be the next coronavirus hot spot

  • Miami’s beaches and streets are all but deserted amid fears the city could be the next coronavirus hot spot
  • Miami now accounts for more than half of Florida’s COVID-19 cases – with numbers surging in recent days
  • Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered a a ‘safer at home’ order for the city’s counties, with residents to remain inside except to fetch food and medicine 
  • Miami now resembles a ghost town – a striking contrast to two weeks ago when Spring Break revelers packed beaches, bars and clubs
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

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Shocking aerial photographs show Miami’s usually-bustling beaches deserted amid the coronavirus crisis. 

The eerie images were captured Saturday, more than a week after Florida Governor Ron DeSanits closed down the popular swimming spots when vacationers ignored warnings to stay indoors and social distance.  

Thousands of college students were seen partying on the sand for Spring Break just days before DeSantis issued the order, sparking international outrage.   

Now, there are fears that Miami could become the nation’s next coronavirus hot spot – with an explosion of cases within the past week. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, 58% of Florida’s 6,638 confirmed COVID-19 cases come from the three counties that make up the Miami’s metro area.  

On Monday, DeSantis issued a ‘safer at home’ order for those counties – Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade – requiring residents to stay at their residences except for when they need to fetch food or medicine.  

DeSantis says he expects the order to remain in place until at least April 15. 

Shocking aerial photographs show Miami’s usually-bustling beaches deserted amid the coronavirus crisis. The beach is pictured left two weeks ago, and at right on Saturday

Miami’s beaches are seen at left two weeks ago, and at right on Saturday

The eerie images were captured Saturday, more than a week after Florida Governor Ron DeSanits closed down the beach after vacationers ignored warnings to stay indoors and social distance

The eerie images were captured Saturday, more than a week after Florida Governor Ron DeSanits closed down the beach after vacationers ignored warnings to stay indoors and social distance

Just two weeks ago, beachgoers sparked international outrage after they ignored official recomendations and continued to flock to the beach.  South Beach is snapped on March 16

Just two weeks ago, beachgoers sparked international outrage after they ignored official recomendations and continued to flock to the beach.  South Beach is snapped on March 16 

DeSantis closed down the beaches last week, and fear of coronavirus has kept revelers away from the shores

DeSantis closed down the beaches last week, and fear of coronavirus has kept revelers away from the shores 

College students are pictured partying up a storm on South Beach March 17 - despite recommendations from the CDC to practice social distancing and remain indoors

College students are pictured partying up a storm on South Beach March 17 – despite recommendations from the CDC to practice social distancing and remain indoors

Revelers were pictured dancing, drinking and vaping as they crowded in the shallows of South Beach

Revelers were pictured dancing, drinking and vaping as they crowded in the shallows of South Beach

 Therefore, it’s not just the city’s beaches that are now deserted – with once bustling streets and promenades also abandoned. 

Images taken Saturday show the city resembling a ghost town, with hardly a soul in sight. 

Springtime weekends in downtown Miami  are usually jam-packed with tourists and locals, but there were only empty motorways and shuttered shops in the city on Saturday evening.

Residents appear eager to avoid grim predictions that they could follow in New York City’s footsteps – with tens of thousands of COVID-19 cases, and deaths in the four digits. 

Researchers from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics say the state of Florida could be more than a month away from reaching its coronavirus peak. 

The academics created a model showing when deaths and hospital resource use is estimated to reach their heights from coast to coast. 

Florida is not expected to reach its darkest point until May 3, with the state anticipated to report 174 deaths that day – and more than 6,700 by August 4. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, the US had nearly 182,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 3,600 people had passed away.  

It's not just the city's beaches that are now deserted - with once bustling streets and promenades also left  abandoned

It’s not just the city’s beaches that are now deserted – with once bustling streets and promenades also left  abandoned

Images taken Saturday show the city resembling a ghost town, without a soul in sight

Images taken Saturday show the city resembling a ghost town, without a soul in sight

Springtime weekends in downtown Miami are usually jam-packed packed with tourists and locals, but there were only empty motorways and shuttered shops in the city on Saturday night

Springtime weekends in downtown Miami are usually jam-packed packed with tourists and locals, but there were only empty motorways and shuttered shops in the city on Saturday night

Miami metropolitan areas currently accounts for more than half of all COVID-19 cases in the state of Florida

Miami metropolitan areas currently accounts for more than half of all COVID-19 cases in the state of Florida 

Residents appear eager to avoid grim predictions that they could follow in New York City's footsteps - without tens of thousands of COVID-19 cases, and deaths soaring into the four digits

Residents appear eager to avoid grim predictions that they could follow in New York City’s footsteps – without tens of thousands of COVID-19 cases, and deaths soaring into the four digits

Downtown Miami is pictured all but abandoned on Saturday evening

Downtown Miami is pictured all but abandoned on Saturday evening

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