Local

What a second wave of COVID-19 cases could look like in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — As Florida's cases continue to increase, we're finding out when experts believe the country could see a second wave of the coronavirus.

Experts are predicting tens of thousands more deaths nationwide from the virus.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts a second wave of the coronavirus will start in mid-September.

“Coronavirus

READ: Florida surpasses 70,000 COVID-19 cases, over 2,800 deaths, health officials say

Researchers at the institute are forecasting nearly 170,000 deaths in the U.S. by Oct. 1.

The states most likely to be affected with the highest number of deaths, according to experts, are New York, New Jersey, California and Michigan.

With the current modeling, Georgia and Florida are among four states predicted to see the earliest uptick in deaths.

The model is based on data through June 6.

READ: Some push to change name of Division Avenue in Orlando due to segregation connection

Dr. Christopher Murray, the director of the IHME, said he hopes their information is "proven wrong by the swift actions governments and individuals take to reduce transmission."

Health officials said there have been spikes in some states due to eased restrictions and recent protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.