WEATHER ALERT
Now that the pandemic is ‘over,’ we want to know how it changed your life
Read full article: Now that the pandemic is ‘over,’ we want to know how it changed your lifeThe World Health organization declared earlier this month that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an emergency, putting a three-year end to the virus that killed at least 7 million people and turned the world upside down.
Insider extra: How to check whether your name was used on a fraudulent SBA emergency loan
Read full article: Insider extra: How to check whether your name was used on a fraudulent SBA emergency loanThe Pandemic Response Accountability Committee found a connection of more than 69,000 “suspicious” social security numbers used to collect $5.4 billion in SBA emergency loans.
Is your name on a fraudulent SBA emergency loan? Here’s how you can check
Read full article: Is your name on a fraudulent SBA emergency loan? Here’s how you can checkThe Pandemic Response Accountability Committee found a connection of more than 69,000 “suspicious” social security numbers used to collect $5.4 billion in SBA emergency loans.
Florida sees 20,045 new cases as CDC panel says COVID shots should be added to recommended vaccinations
Read full article: Florida sees 20,045 new cases as CDC panel says COVID shots should be added to recommended vaccinationsWith concerns rising about a possible winter surge of cases, a panel of experts has unanimously voted to add the COVID-19 shot to the list of recommended vaccines for children.
Florida reports 22,630 COVID cases as 11.5 million Americans get updated COVID booster shots
Read full article: Florida reports 22,630 COVID cases as 11.5 million Americans get updated COVID booster shotsOver the last two weeks, Florida has reported 21,586 new cases of COVID-19 and 522 virus-related deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Florida reports 40,351 COVID cases as UN reconvenes, more countries drop tourism restraints
Read full article: Florida reports 40,351 COVID cases as UN reconvenes, more countries drop tourism restraintsFlorida over the last two weeks has reported XX,XXX new cases of COVID-19 and XXX virus-related deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Florida reports 67,747 COVID cases as WHO reports ‘welcome decline’ in global figures
Read full article: Florida reports 67,747 COVID cases as WHO reports ‘welcome decline’ in global figuresFlorida over the last two weeks has reported XX,XXX new cases of COVID-19 and X,XXX virus-related deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Florida reports 89,119 COVID cases as Pfizer submits updated booster for FDA approval
Read full article: Florida reports 89,119 COVID cases as Pfizer submits updated booster for FDA approvalPfizer asked U.S. regulators to approve its combination COVID-19 vaccine that adds protection against the newest omicron strains after the Food and Drug Administration ordered the minds behind the vaccine to tweak their shots.
Florida reports 120,018 new COVID cases as CDC drops quarantine, social distancing from guidelines
Read full article: Florida reports 120,018 new COVID cases as CDC drops quarantine, social distancing from guidelinesThe agency dropped quarantine and social distancing recommendations from its COVID-19 guidelines, what officials said was spurred by estimates that 95% of Americans 16 and up — whether from vaccinations or infections — now have some level of immunity to the virus.
Florida reports 151,602 new COVID cases as Biden diagnosis scraps Orlando visit and talk of recession takes spotlight
Read full article: Florida reports 151,602 new COVID cases as Biden diagnosis scraps Orlando visit and talk of recession takes spotlightPresident now cleared of COVID, plays down recession fears
Florida reports 74,481 new COVID cases as US prepares booster shot update for fall
Read full article: Florida reports 74,481 new COVID cases as US prepares booster shot update for fallCOVID-19 booster shots for the fall will be updated to fight off newer omicron types, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Florida reports 74,323 new COVID cases as FDA approves 1st vaccines for toddlers
Read full article: Florida reports 74,323 new COVID cases as FDA approves 1st vaccines for toddlersFederal regulators capped a work week of productive meetings with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers by giving final approval on Friday to their lower-dose shots for children younger than 5 years old.
Florida reports 71,797 new COVID cases as White House plans for vaccine for kids under 5
Read full article: Florida reports 71,797 new COVID cases as White House plans for vaccine for kids under 5The Biden administration is planning to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 this month, if federal regulators authorize them, officials said.
Oxygen readers less accurate for nonwhite patients; likely delayed COVID treatments, study says
Read full article: Oxygen readers less accurate for nonwhite patients; likely delayed COVID treatments, study saysPulse oximeters are small boxy devices that are clipped to a finger and used to measure a patient’s blood oxygen levels using light wavelengths.
Florida reports 60,204 new COVID cases for the week as US health officials say some areas should consider masks again
Read full article: Florida reports 60,204 new COVID cases for the week as US health officials say some areas should consider masks againFederal health officials are warning areas in the U.S. where COVID-19 cases are rising to consider indoor masking once again.
Orlando businesses prepare for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations 2 years after COVID closures
Read full article: Orlando businesses prepare for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations 2 years after COVID closuresThose shutdowns and the struggle to get people to return have forced many businesses to close for good. Many local business owners say they’re finally bouncing back, but it’s been a tough two years.
Nursing in the time of COVID: ‘The hostility and violence in the workplace is unbelievable’
Read full article: Nursing in the time of COVID: ‘The hostility and violence in the workplace is unbelievable’The problems the nursing industry is experiencing lately aren’t new issues, said Melissa, 41, who’s in Roanoke, Virginia.
Florida averages 2,021 daily COVID cases as US outlines plan to return to normal
Read full article: Florida averages 2,021 daily COVID cases as US outlines plan to return to normalA new plan spells out initiatives and investments to continue to drive down serious illness and deaths from the virus, while preparing for potential new variants and providing employers and schools the resources to remain open.
Nursing in the time of COVID: ‘Being a new grad and already burnt out is not what I envisioned for my dream career’
Read full article: Nursing in the time of COVID: ‘Being a new grad and already burnt out is not what I envisioned for my dream career’Christine always envisioned a career in nursing. It’s all she ever wanted, professionally.
‘Cause for optimism:’ Altamonte Springs sees COVID levels remain low in wastewater testing
Read full article: ‘Cause for optimism:’ Altamonte Springs sees COVID levels remain low in wastewater testingThe latest round of testing from the Altamonte Springs Sewer Service Area shows a continued decrease in the amount of COVID-19 present in the waste water there; however, it also showed an increase in the percentage of "'stealth omicron" present.
Florida averages 3,663 daily COVID cases on same day CDC updates mask guidelines
Read full article: Florida averages 3,663 daily COVID cases on same day CDC updates mask guidelinesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is announcing a change to the metrics used to determine whether to recommend face masks in indoor public settings.
‘Stealth omicron’ found in Altamonte Springs wastewater as COVID levels decline
Read full article: ‘Stealth omicron’ found in Altamonte Springs wastewater as COVID levels declineTesting done on the wastewater at the Altamonte and Casselberry sewer service areas both showed a decrease in the concentration of COVID-19 virus, continuing a downward trend of infection in those communities.
Florida’s COVID positivity rate falls to 8.2% as CDC considers updating mask guidance
Read full article: Florida’s COVID positivity rate falls to 8.2% as CDC considers updating mask guidanceAs cases continue to drop across the U.S., the nation’s leading health officials said we are moving closer to the point that COVID-19 is no longer a “constant crisis.”
Florida averages 14,717 daily COVID cases as FDA delays meeting on vaccine for children under 5
Read full article: Florida averages 14,717 daily COVID cases as FDA delays meeting on vaccine for children under 5The Food and Drug Administration delayed its meeting next week to review Pfizer’s vaccine for children under 5 because they would like to see more data.
Florida averages 18,946 daily COVID cases as Pfizer seeks approval of vaccine for children under 5
Read full article: Florida averages 18,946 daily COVID cases as Pfizer seeks approval of vaccine for children under 5Florida continues to see a decline in COVID-19 cases after a surge in infections caused by the omicron variant.
Florida averages 28,102 daily COVID cases as state-run monoclonal sites shut down
Read full article: Florida averages 28,102 daily COVID cases as state-run monoclonal sites shut downFlorida recently shuttered its state-run monoclonal sites following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Monday to revise the emergency use authorization for two monoclonal antibody treatments used in patients with COVID-19.
Gov. DeSantis blasts decision to revise authorization for COVID antibody treatments
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis blasts decision to revise authorization for COVID antibody treatmentsGov. Ron DeSantis went on the attack Tuesday morning following the Food and Drug Administrations' decision to revoke the emergency use authorization for certain monoclonal antibody treatments used in patients with COVID-19.
WHO chief warns against talk of ‘endgame’ in pandemic
Read full article: WHO chief warns against talk of ‘endgame’ in pandemicThe head of the World Health Organization is warning that conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge and says it’s dangerous to assume omicron is the last one or that “we are in the endgame.”.
Florida averages 41,315 new COVID cases daily as state investigates Orange County health officer
Read full article: Florida averages 41,315 new COVID cases daily as state investigates Orange County health officerThe Florida Department of Health is investigating a health officer for the department in Orange County pending an inquiry involving COVID vaccines.
COVID-19 health emergency could be over this year, WHO says
Read full article: COVID-19 health emergency could be over this year, WHO saysThe head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, including deaths, hospitalizations and lockdowns, could be over this year if huge inequities in vaccinations and medicines are addressed quickly.
Florida averages 61,471 new COVID cases as Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for large businesses
Read full article: Florida averages 61,471 new COVID cases as Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for large businessesThe U.S. Supreme Court blocked a federal vaccine requirement Thursday pushed by the Biden Administration for employees at large businesses to get a COVID-19 vaccine or test regularly while working.
Florida governor racing feds on at-home COVID tests
Read full article: Florida governor racing feds on at-home COVID testsSaying that the “federal government is not going to come through” on a plan to distribute at-home coronavirus tests, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said the state is honing its own strategy to send tests to vulnerable Floridians.
Citizens, activists removed from Gov. DeSantis’ news conference in Jacksonville
Read full article: Citizens, activists removed from Gov. DeSantis’ news conference in JacksonvilleA group of activists and citizens who are unhappy with Gov. Ron DeSantis' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic were removed from the Florida Department of Health building in Duval County ahead of a news conference being held by the governor.
Florida averages 17,886 daily COVID cases as omicron variant fuels new infections
Read full article: Florida averages 17,886 daily COVID cases as omicron variant fuels new infectionsThe state health department reported 125,201 new cases on Friday in a one-week period as the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread.
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.
Weekly COVID-19 cases double in Florida as US health officials recommend Pfizer, Moderna over J&J
Read full article: Weekly COVID-19 cases double in Florida as US health officials recommend Pfizer, Moderna over J&JA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel discussed the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine that can cause rare but serious blood clots, advising Americans should be given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Florida averages 1,933 daily COVID-19 cases as Pfizer booster shots expand to those 16-17
Read full article: Florida averages 1,933 daily COVID-19 cases as Pfizer booster shots expand to those 16-17As more cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19 continue to be identified, the U.S. expanding booster shot eligibility of the Pfizer vaccine Thursday.
US jobless claims drop 52-year low amid seasonal volatility
Read full article: US jobless claims drop 52-year low amid seasonal volatilityThe number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level in 52 years, more evidence that the U.S. job market is recovering from last year’s coronavirus recession.
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.
Omicron variant cases crop up across states as Florida averages 1,552 daily COVID cases
Read full article: Omicron variant cases crop up across states as Florida averages 1,552 daily COVID casesU.S. government and health leaders are working to combat the omicron variant cropping up across the country.
Florida averages 1,380 daily COVID cases as concerns over omicron variant rise
Read full article: Florida averages 1,380 daily COVID cases as concerns over omicron variant riseGov. Ron DeSantis signed off on four bills Thursday to prohibit mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for Florida students and workers, calling HB 1B the “strongest piece of legislation” enacted against such mandates anywhere in the U.S.
Florida averages 1,547 daily COVID cases as DeSantis signs anti-vaccine mandate laws
Read full article: Florida averages 1,547 daily COVID cases as DeSantis signs anti-vaccine mandate lawsGov. Ron DeSantis signed off on four bills Thursday to prohibit mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for Florida students and workers, calling HB 1B the “strongest piece of legislation” enacted against such mandates anywhere in the U.S.
Florida averages 1,535 daily COVID cases as vaccinations roll out for children 5-11
Read full article: Florida averages 1,535 daily COVID cases as vaccinations roll out for children 5-11Following U.S. health officials’ approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for younger children, Central Florida counties began rolling out vaccinations for kids 5-11 this week.
Orange County expanding Barnett Park vaccination site for children 5 to 11
Read full article: Orange County expanding Barnett Park vaccination site for children 5 to 11Orange County is now expanding its vaccination site at Barnett Park to include hours geared toward providing jabs for children in the newly approved 5 to 11-year-old age range.
US jobless claims drop to pandemic low of 267,000
Read full article: US jobless claims drop to pandemic low of 267,000The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a new pandemic low 267,000 last week, another sign that the job market is recovering from last year’s sharp coronavirus downturn.
Florida averages 1,581 daily COVID cases as US announces vaccine mandate for companies
Read full article: Florida averages 1,581 daily COVID cases as US announces vaccine mandate for companiesThe U.S. on Thursday announced a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will require workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus if they work at a company with more than 100 employees.
Pencil Boy Express back delivering free supplies to Orange County schools after pandemic pause
Read full article: Pencil Boy Express back delivering free supplies to Orange County schools after pandemic pauseA Gift for Teaching’s Pencil Boy’s Express is back on school campuses after being on pause due to COVID-19.
Parental opt-out for masks in Orange County schools takes effect
Read full article: Parental opt-out for masks in Orange County schools takes effectFor the first time since the beginning of the school year, parents have the ability to choose if their child wears a mask at Orange County Public Schools.
Florida averages 1,840 daily COVID cases as state sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate
Read full article: Florida averages 1,840 daily COVID cases as state sues Biden administration over vaccine mandateFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced this week the state is suing the Biden administration over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors.
We asked you to tell us about your pandemic pregnancies. Your responses are heart-wrenching, haunting and touching.
Read full article: We asked you to tell us about your pandemic pregnancies. Your responses are heart-wrenching, haunting and touching.Last summer, we asked: “Are you or your partner pregnant -- or have you delivered in the past few months?” ... “We want to hear from you.”
Brevard restaurants received more than $24 million from federal Restaurant Relief Fund
Read full article: Brevard restaurants received more than $24 million from federal Restaurant Relief FundThe federal Restaurant Relief Fund brought more than $24.27 million into the local economy, helping 120 Space Coast food purveyors get back on stable footing after severe COVID-19 pandemic losses.
Florida’s top doctor blames inability to ‘communicate clearly’ for mask refusal
Read full article: Florida’s top doctor blames inability to ‘communicate clearly’ for mask refusalFlorida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, is now responding days after he was asked to leave a meeting with Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky — who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer — because he refused to wear a mask.
Some parents push for extension of Orange County school mask mandate, others protest it
Read full article: Some parents push for extension of Orange County school mask mandate, others protest itA group of parents, teachers and local politicians gathered outside the Orange County School Board Monday to urge district leaders to extend mask requirements in the classroom.
Florida averages 2,188 daily COVID cases as special session called to address vaccine mandates
Read full article: Florida averages 2,188 daily COVID cases as special session called to address vaccine mandatesGov. Ron DeSantis called for the Florida legislature to return for a special session aiming to provide more safeguards for workers in the state facing vaccine mandates.
Florida averages 2,780+ daily COVID cases as FDA panel endorses Moderna, Johnson & Johnson boosters
Read full article: Florida averages 2,780+ daily COVID cases as FDA panel endorses Moderna, Johnson & Johnson boostersThe Food and Drug Administration panel endorsed Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine booster Friday, a day after they recommended a half-dose booster shot of the Moderna vaccine.
Florida averages 3,684 daily COVID cases, positivity rate drops below 5%
Read full article: Florida averages 3,684 daily COVID cases, positivity rate drops below 5%Eight Florida school districts, including in Orange and Brevard counties, found not in compliance with state COVID-19 measures Thursday will face financial consequences if they do not comply.
Did you lose a loved one to COVID-19? This is your chance to share that person’s story with the world
Read full article: Did you lose a loved one to COVID-19? This is your chance to share that person’s story with the worldMaybe it was when the pandemic first arrived in the United States, or perhaps it only happened in recent weeks or months. But if you lost a friend or family member to COVID-19, and you’d like to memorialize that person’s legacy, we invite you to share more.
Fighting wave of misinfo, YouTube bans false vaccine claims
Read full article: Fighting wave of misinfo, YouTube bans false vaccine claimsVideo-sharing tech platform YouTube on Wednesday announced immediate bans on false claims that vaccines are dangerous and cause health issues like autism, cancer or infertility.
Florida averages 8,046 new COVID cases daily as booster shots approved for older Americans
Read full article: Florida averages 8,046 new COVID cases daily as booster shots approved for older AmericansFollowing the Food and Drug Administration’s backing of Pfizer booster shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also endorsed booster shots for older or vulnerable Americans.
Firefighters who do not abide vaccine mandate will not be fired, Orange County mayor says
Read full article: Firefighters who do not abide vaccine mandate will not be fired, Orange County mayor saysOrange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced Thursday that firefighters who do not comply with the county's vaccine mandate for its employees will not face termination, but rather will only get hit with a written reprimand.
Florida’s new surgeon general changes school COVID rules, gives parents power over quarantines
Read full article: Florida’s new surgeon general changes school COVID rules, gives parents power over quarantinesPointing to a need to “minimize the amount of time students are removed from in-person learning,” the Florida Department of Health on Wednesday issued a revised rule that gives parents more authority to decide whether children go to school after being exposed to people who have COVID-19.
Orlando commissioner hosts vigil for lives lost to COVID-19
Read full article: Orlando commissioner hosts vigil for lives lost to COVID-19As the state of Florida has seen more than 50,000 people die from COVID-19, an Orlando city commissioner is holding a commnity vigil Tuesday evening to acknowledge those many lives lost.
WATCH LIVE: Orange County leaders give COVID briefing
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Orange County leaders give COVID briefingAugust has been named the deadliest month of the pandemic so far, according to Orange County leaders, with at least 388 deaths, and more are expected to be added to the tally.
‘God told me not to take this vaccine:’ Brevard restaurateur won’t ask employees to get COVID shot
Read full article: ‘God told me not to take this vaccine:’ Brevard restaurateur won’t ask employees to get COVID shotWhile many local restaurant owners are waiting for more details from Biden's order that businesses with 100 or more employees require their workforce to get vaccines or take weekly COVID tests, at least one already has made up his mind.
Florida averages 10,844 daily COVID cases as state exceeds 50K deaths since start of pandemic
Read full article: Florida averages 10,844 daily COVID cases as state exceeds 50K deaths since start of pandemicAs the state is coming down from the latest surge caused by the delta variant, Florida has surpassed 50,000 COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
‘We’ll just have to wait and see:’ Orange leaders say county not yet fined over vaccine mandate
Read full article: ‘We’ll just have to wait and see:’ Orange leaders say county not yet fined over vaccine mandateOrange County leaders say they have yet to receive any notice on potential fines stemming from the mandate that county employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk losing their jobs.
Orange County Public Schools postpone Ocoee vs. Apoka football game over COVID infections
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools postpone Ocoee vs. Apoka football game over COVID infectionsThe Friday night lights will be dark at Apopka High School this week after Orange County Public Schools postponed the game with Ocoee High School because of COVID-19 cases.
US unemployment claims rise after hitting pandemic low
Read full article: US unemployment claims rise after hitting pandemic lowThe number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that worsening COVID-19 infections may have slightly increased layoffs.