Fauci backs new masks guidance as Florida reports highest one-day Covid case total

• State is national epicenter as 21,683 cases reported
• Hospitalisations record also falls amid mask mandate ban
• America mulls vaccine mandates - will they work?

Florida's ban on mask mandates came under increasing scrutiny from public health officials on Sunday as the surging Delta variant pushed new daily cases of Covid-19 in the state to a record high.

Related: US vaccinations rise but White House frustrated with media alarmism'