WEATHER ALERT
Omicron fuels roller coaster ride for January tourist tax receipts in Orange County
Read full article: Omicron fuels roller coaster ride for January tourist tax receipts in Orange CountyVisit Orlando attributes the drop in tourism tax dollars due to the impact of the omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as “seasonal travel patterns.”
US vaccination drive grinding to halt as omicron subsides
Read full article: US vaccination drive grinding to halt as omicron subsidesThe vaccination drive against COVID-19 in the U.S. is grinding to a halt, and lagging demand is especially stark in conservative corners of the country where many people weren't interested in the shots in the first place.
Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron. Is that enough?
Read full article: Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron. Is that enough?This winter's omicron wave in the U.S. also bolstered our defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less disruption to society.
Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge decelerates
Read full article: Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge deceleratesSpain will end a mandate to wear masks outdoors next week, reversing a late December order against an unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections fueled by a highly contagious mutation.
US economy defies omicron and adds 467,000 jobs in January
Read full article: US economy defies omicron and adds 467,000 jobs in JanuaryIn a surprising burst of hiring, America’s employers added 467,000 jobs in January in a sign of the economy’s resilience even in the face of a wave of omicron infections last month.
‘I still encourage everybody:’ Orange County mayor urges vaccine after recovering from COVID
Read full article: ‘I still encourage everybody:’ Orange County mayor urges vaccine after recovering from COVIDOrange County Mayor Jerry Demings provided a COVID-19 update Wednesday from the Orange County administration building in downtown Orlando.
WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soar
Read full article: WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soarThe World Health Organization chief says 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago, amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
FDA says to not use Regeneron; state-run monoclonal sites closed in Florida
Read full article: FDA says to not use Regeneron; state-run monoclonal sites closed in FloridaThe Food and Drug Administration on Monday revised its authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments because they are “highly unlikely to be active against the omicron variant” of COVID-19.
Marion County reports record COVID positivity rate, drop in new cases, data shows
Read full article: Marion County reports record COVID positivity rate, drop in new cases, data showsDespite seeing a drop in COVID cases, Marion County has reached a new record with its positivity rate in the last week, according to the state health department.
Omicron is sole variant detected in Altamonte Springs, Casselberry wastewater
Read full article: Omicron is sole variant detected in Altamonte Springs, Casselberry wastewaterOmicron is officially the only variant detected in the Altamonte Springs and Casselberry wastewater, according to the most recent sample taken on Jan. 20.
CDC data shows significant drop in new COVID cases in Florida
Read full article: CDC data shows significant drop in new COVID cases in FloridaThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released several days of data after the holiday weekend that shows Florida may be turning the corner when it comes to the omicron wave.
WHO counts 18 million virus cases last week as omicron slows
Read full article: WHO counts 18 million virus cases last week as omicron slowsThe World Health Organization says the number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20% last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the omicron variant.
COVID-19 detected in Altamonte Springs wastewater declines, officials say
Read full article: COVID-19 detected in Altamonte Springs wastewater declines, officials sayWhile Altamonte Springs officials are still detecting multiple variants near the city’s Sewer Service Area, the virus concentration has lessened substantially, officials said.
Omicron surge brings rise in pediatric cases, Orange County health official says
Read full article: Omicron surge brings rise in pediatric cases, Orange County health official saysAs University of Florida researchers predict Florida will hit its peak of the omicron surge this week, one local pediatrician said he’s seeing its impact on kids in his office.
Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US
Read full article: Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, USScientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.
Expert says 80% of Floridians will have had COVID by end of omicron wave
Read full article: Expert says 80% of Floridians will have had COVID by end of omicron waveAs Florida continues to see a record number of COVID cases, one expert is predicting 80% of the state's population will have had COVID-19 by the end of the wave.
UCF welcomes back students as Florida COVID cases continue to surge
Read full article: UCF welcomes back students as Florida COVID cases continue to surgeThe spring semester at the University of Central Florida began Monday with health and safety protocols in place during the rise of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
Has omicron already peaked in Florida? Here’s what one doctor says
Read full article: Has omicron already peaked in Florida? Here’s what one doctor saysAs the demand for COVID-19 tests remains high, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration said things should start improving soon in Florida.
Brevard County schools won’t take up another mask debate as COVID cases rise
Read full article: Brevard County schools won’t take up another mask debate as COVID cases risePicking up Capeview Elementary students after their first day of the semester, some families expressed concern while others expressed no concern about kids and the Omicron variant.
WHO: Record weekly jump in COVID-19 cases but fewer deaths
Read full article: WHO: Record weekly jump in COVID-19 cases but fewer deathsThe World Health Organization says a record 9_5 million COVID-19 cases were tallied over the last week as the omicron variant of the coronavirus swept the planet, a 71% increase from the previous 7-day period that the U_N_ health agency likened to a “tsunami.”.
Florida issues new COVID testing guidance. Here’s what you need to know
Read full article: Florida issues new COVID testing guidance. Here’s what you need to knowThe Florida Department of Health issued new COVID-19 testing guidelines Thursday in an effort to alleviate sites seeing high demand as the omicron variant continues to fuel new cases.
The internet’s first feud of 2022 is between Elmo and a pet rock
Read full article: The internet’s first feud of 2022 is between Elmo and a pet rockLook, life as we know it right now is pretty insane. Omicron is raging across the country, it didn’t even feel like 2021 happened and America’s sweetheart, Betty White, is dead.
Biden urges concern but not alarm in US as omicron rises
Read full article: Biden urges concern but not alarm in US as omicron risesPresident Joe Biden is urging concern but not alarm as the United States set records for daily reported COVID-19 cases and his administration struggles to ease concerns about testing shortages.
Brevard Public Schools encourages mask wearing amid omicron spread
Read full article: Brevard Public Schools encourages mask wearing amid omicron spreadBrevard Public Schools is taking a largely voluntary approach as schools prepare to reopen Thursday amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases countywide likely due to the highly contagious omicron variant.
Parents resubmit suit over masks in Florida schools, citing omicron dangers
Read full article: Parents resubmit suit over masks in Florida schools, citing omicron dangersA group of Florida parents who have children with disabilities has resubmitted a lawsuit to try and reverse Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools.
Florida governor calls on feds for more COVID antibody doses
Read full article: Florida governor calls on feds for more COVID antibody dosesGov. Ron DeSantis called on the federal government Monday to allow states to directly purchase monoclonal antibody treatments from companies, saying the state is ready to open new monoclonal antibody treatment sites but is waiting on treatments.
Orange County sees ‘historic increase’ of COVID-19 in wastewater, officials say
Read full article: Orange County sees ‘historic increase’ of COVID-19 in wastewater, officials sayA “historic increase” of COVID-19 has been recorded in wastewater service areas in Orange County as cases continue to surge as a result of the omicron variant, according to county officials.
At-home COVID tests may be less sensitive to omicron, but they’re still useful tools, FDA says
Read full article: At-home COVID tests may be less sensitive to omicron, but they’re still useful tools, FDA saysDr. Anthony Fauci is encouraging people to continue to use at-home COVID-19 antigen tests after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that the tests may be less sensitive at detecting the omicron variant.
New Year’s celebrations in Florida adjust to omicron
Read full article: New Year’s celebrations in Florida adjust to omicronThe Big Orange isn’t rising up the side of the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami this year, and a festival with food trucks and performers in a northeast Florida beach town has been canceled.
News headlines of 2021: How much do you remember? Take this quiz to find out.
Read full article: News headlines of 2021: How much do you remember? Take this quiz to find out.We might not be able to claim that 2021 was *the* wildest year in recent history (2020 will likely get that credit for quite some time), but it might be a close second.
Health officials confirm omicron in Polk County, urge residents to take precautions ahead of New Year’s
Read full article: Health officials confirm omicron in Polk County, urge residents to take precautions ahead of New Year’sPolk County health officials confirm omicron has been detected in the county and are urging residents to take precautions during the holiday weekend as cases continue to increase.
Greece bans New Year's music at venues amid COVID surge
Read full article: Greece bans New Year's music at venues amid COVID surgeGreece’s health minister says music will be banned at all commercial venues for New Year’s celebrations as part of new restrictions announced in response to a surge in COVID-19 infections fueled by the omicron variant.
Orange County mayor swipes at Gov. DeSantis over COVID response, says testing sites are overwhelmed
Read full article: Orange County mayor swipes at Gov. DeSantis over COVID response, says testing sites are overwhelmedOrange County Mayor Jerry Demings said county COVID-19 testing sites have been flooded with demand amid a wave of new infections and blamed a lack of response from Gov. Ron DeSantis, in part, for the sites being overwhelmed.
Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%
Read full article: Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%Holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, even as shoppers grappled with higher prices, product shortages and a raging new COVID-19 variant in the last few weeks of the season, according to one spending measure.
Study: COVID surge expected in Florida, peaking in February
Read full article: Study: COVID surge expected in Florida, peaking in FebruaryUniversity of Florida researchers predict that COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State could peak in February with more than 30,000 reported cases a day from the omicron variant.
Omicron casts a new shadow over economy’s pandemic recovery
Read full article: Omicron casts a new shadow over economy’s pandemic recoveryJust as Americans and Europeans were eagerly awaiting their most normal holiday season in a couple of years, the omicron variant has unleashed a fresh round of fear and uncertainty — for travelers, shoppers, party-goers and their economies as a whole.
Omicron overtakes delta as Miami’s dominant COVID-19 variant
Read full article: Omicron overtakes delta as Miami’s dominant COVID-19 variantGenomic surveillance data shows omicron has overtaken the delta variant in Miami-Dade County as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in just a matter of weeks.
CDC, Brevard officials say don’t let guard down on COVID-19 during holidays
Read full article: CDC, Brevard officials say don’t let guard down on COVID-19 during holidaysGovernment and health officials are urging residents to heed coronavirus prevention strategies, as they prepare for get-togethers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
President Biden pledges 500M free virus tests to counter omicron
Read full article: President Biden pledges 500M free virus tests to counter omicronPresident Joe Biden has announced plans to deliver 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, increase support for hospitals and expand the availability of vaccines to confront a winter surge of coronavirus cases driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant.
Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of new US COVID cases
Read full article: Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of new US COVID casesOmicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. Federal health officials said Monday that omicron accounted for an estimated 73% of new infections last week.
WHO: Omicron detected in 89 countries, cases doubling fast
Read full article: WHO: Omicron detected in 89 countries, cases doubling fastThe World Health Organization says the number of COVID-19 cases involving omicron is doubling every 1.5 to three days in countries where there is community transmission of the variant and not just people who were infected abroad.
US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advances
Read full article: US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advancesThe new omicron coronavirus mutant speeding around the world may bring another wave of chaos, as it threatens to further stretch hospital workers already struggling with a surge of delta cases and upend holiday plans for the second year in a row.
Omicron now dominant variant in wastewater, Orange County Mayor says
Read full article: Omicron now dominant variant in wastewater, Orange County Mayor saysAt the COVID-19 update on Wednesday afternoon, the 167th for Orange County since the pandemic began, Demings pointed out that there was no presence of omicron in the wastewater only a month ago.
Vaccine alliance chief: Omicron could trigger ‘Inequity 2.0′
Read full article: Vaccine alliance chief: Omicron could trigger ‘Inequity 2.0′The head of vaccine alliance Gavi says in an interview he’s seen early signs that rich countries are beginning to withhold donations out of fears about the omicron variant – warning it could lead to “Inequity 2_0.”.
Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines
Read full article: Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccinesThe omicron variant is offering more hints about what it may have in store as it spreads around the globe: A highly transmissible virus that may cause less severe disease, and one that can be slowed — but not stopped — by today’s vaccines.
Casselberry Walmart evacuated for bomb threat, later reopened, police say
Read full article: Casselberry Walmart evacuated for bomb threat, later reopened, police sayA Wal-Mart Supercenter on State Road 436 in Casselberry was evacuated Sunday after an unknown person reported a bomb threat within the store, according to Casselberry police.
Seminole County sees booster demand rise as omicron cases grow across the country
Read full article: Seminole County sees booster demand rise as omicron cases grow across the countryAs more cases of the Omicron variant are confirmed across the country, Seminole County leaders said they are planning to host additional vaccination events to meet the demand for boosters.
WHO: Omicron could spread faster but it's still not certain
Read full article: WHO: Omicron could spread faster but it's still not certainThe World Health Organization says early evidence suggests the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be spreading faster than the highly transmissible delta variant and brings with it less severe disease — although it’s too early to make firm conclusions.
Florida identifies first confirmed cases of omicron variant in the state
Read full article: Florida identifies first confirmed cases of omicron variant in the stateThe Florida Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday doctors have identified the first confirmed instance of the omicron variant in the state.