Coronavirus Florida

Florida COVID-19 cases down, deaths top 78,500

The number of Florida residents testing positive for COVID-19 has decreased in the past two weeks, but the coronavirus has killed more than 78,500 residents since the pandemic started in 2020, according to data released Friday.

August 12

Florida COVID-19 deaths near 77K as inpatient numbers dip

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released data Friday that showed 4,341 Florida hospital inpatients had COVID-19, down from 4,430 in a Thursday count.

July 15

Ex-Disney workers sue over COVID-19 face mask and vaccine mandates, claiming religious discrimination

Three former employees have sued Walt Disney World, saying they were fired after refusing to wear face masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons, according to a lawsuit.

July 8

Florida tops 74,000 COVID-19 cases last week

Florida has topped 71,000 new COVID-19 cases in each of the past five weeks, a report released Friday by the state Department of Health shows. It has exceeded 73,000 reported cases in each of the past four weeks — including totaling 74,481 cases during the week that started June 24 and ended Thursday.

July 2

Publix not offering COVID vaccines to children under 5

Publix says its pharmacies will not administer vaccines to children under the age of 5 at this time.

June 22

Should you get a second COVID booster shot? Doctor weighs in

The COVID-19 positivity rate in Florida continues to climb. It’s up to 17.2%. Two months ago it was only 4.9%. The rise has some wondering if they should get a second booster shot to better protect themselves.

June 21

White House: Florida doctors can order under-5 COVID shots

Florida doctors will be able to order COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 from the federal government, the White House said Friday, after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state would not order and distribute the shots in the state.

June 17

Florida only state not preordering toddler COVID-19 vaccines

Florida is the only state that hasn’t preordered COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers in anticipation of their final approval by the federal government, and Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he won’t facilitate their distribution, though he said they’ll be available to those who want them.

June 16

Florida's Surgeon General opposes COVID-19 shots for young children

As the federal Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to the potential change.

June 14

Court to hear arguments in refund of UF student fees levied during pandemic

The First District Court of Appeal said Monday it will hear arguments next month in a potential class-action lawsuit that contends the University of Florida should refund fees to students who were forced to learn remotely in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 6

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida up nearly 17%

The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 increased nearly 17 percent during the past week.

May 24

Florida tops 60,000 new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations jump 24%

Florida saw a jump in COVID-19 cases last week, while reported deaths of Florida residents during the pandemic climbed to more than 74,300. The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 jumped 24 percent during the past week

May 20

Biden co-hosts 2nd global COVID-19 summit as US nears 1 million deaths

President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders for a renewed international commitment to attacking COVID-19 and ordered flags lowered to half-staff for the tragic milestone.

May 12

Florida tops 74,000 COVID-19 deaths

Florida has exceeded 74,000 resident deaths from COVID-19, while newly reported cases steadily climb, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Health.

May 6