WLRN staff continues to add to community resource lists, including this articleon where kids and families can get food while schools are closed, and this postabout whether and where to get tested for coronavirus.
The dedicated website for the Florida Department of Health, including information about symptoms and numbers of cases, can be found here.
The dedicated website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found here.
To receive WLRN's coronavirus updates newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays, sign up here.
QUICK UPDATES
Florida Adds More Than 8,000 New Cases, 96 Additional Resident Deaths
Updated Monday at 4 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 8,198 positive cases of COVID-19 Monday. Florida has a total of 1,280,177 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Monday's update also included the announcement of 96 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 21,308. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 21,613.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties make up 7,849 of those reported deaths. Monroe County has reported 35 deaths due to COVID-19.
— WLRN News
Small Businesses Can Seek Advice On PPP And Federal Loan Programs At Virtual Office Hours
Updated Monday at 1:35 p.m.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a series of office hours to help small businesses looking for emergency funding due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The federal agency is hosting a series of virtual office hours sessions to answer questions about the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
Sessions will be held Monday, Dec. 28 and Wednesday, Dec. 30 via Microsoft Teams. Participants can hop on and off the call at any time. Joining information can be found below:
Dec. 28 and Dec. 30
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Head here: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Or call: 202-765-1264; Conference ID – 191 652 154
Dec. 30, in Spanish
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Here: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Or call: 202-765-1264; Conference ID – 919 146 391
And to learn more about the agency's PPP Flexibility Act, join these sessions — hosted by the SBA's South Florida District Office.
You can register for these sessions, all hosted on Eventbrite, below:
Tuesday, Dec. 29
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Click here to register on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, Dec. 30
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Click here to register on Eventbrite.
— WLRN News
CDC Issues New COVID Vaccination Guidance For People With Pre-Existing Conditions
Updated Monday At 7:15 a.m
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday released guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations for people who have pre-existing conditions.
Those with certain pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk of severe illness if they contract the coronavirus, and the CDC guidance says they can take an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as long as they “have not had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously authorized Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines, both of which require two doses, for emergency use.
— By Bailey Aldridge / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
Florida Hits Pause On Release Of COVID Data Until After Christmas
Updated Monday At 7:10 a.m
The daily release of Florida’s coronavirus data has been postponed due to the Christmas holiday, it was announced Friday.
“Florida will not be releasing any new information about the progress of the deadly disease throughout the state on Dec. 25,” said Jason Mahon, spokesman for the State’s Division of Emergency Management.
The state made a similar call back in November on Thanksgiving, and two days worth of data was released on Nov. 27, the day following the holiday.
— By Mario Ariza / The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Read more from our news partner at The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
South Florida Fair Will Be Replaced By 'Mini' Fair — What You Need To Know
Updated Monday At 7:03 a.m
Already planning to scale back normal activities designed to accommodate tens of thousands of people, organizers of the South Florida Fair announced Wednesday an even smaller version – a South Florida "Mini" Fair – to be held in January at the fairgrounds.
The big changes for 2021 – the elimination of the big rides and the closing of buildings.
The fair, one of Palm Beach County's largest events, will still be held Jan. 15-31 and feature many of the fair's signature activities – a variety of local and tribute bands, the usual "fried-everything" fair foods and beverages, shopping opportunities with vendors under a large tent, racing pigs, a giant sand sculpture, strolling entertainers, farm animals and visiting the historic buildings of Yesteryear Village.
— By Palm Beach Post Staff / The Palm Beach Post
Read more from our news partner at The Palm Beach Post.
