WLRN staff continues to add updates on testing and vaccination sites, executive orders and messages from government officials, and the latest news on COVID-19. You can find information on free food and food distributions here.
The dedicated website for the Florida Department of Health, including information about the numbers of cases, can be found here.
The dedicated website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found here.
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QUICK UPDATES
State Reports 7,788 New Cases Sunday, Positivity Rate Of 5.54%
Updated Sunday at 4:35 p.m.
The state of Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 7,788 new cases Sunday, the fewest in January, and another daily report said the most recent daily positive test rate for the state was only 5.54%.
The dashboard also reported 120 total deaths, 119 of which were residents, keeping alive the morbid streak of at least 100 total deaths per day.
Dec. 28, when 99 deaths were reported, was the last day under 100 total deaths, and the 7,391 cases Dec. 27 was the last day with fewer cases reported than Sunday. Dec. 27 also fell on a Sunday, typically the lowest case number day throughout the pandemic because data collection and entry is reduced during the weekend.
By David J. Neal / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner the Miami Herald
Florida Adds More Than 10,000 New Cases, 219 New Resident Deaths
Updated Friday at 4:20 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 10,976 positive cases of COVID-19 Friday. Florida has a total of 1,698,570 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Friday's update also included the announcement of 219 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 26,254. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 26,685.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties make up 9,054 of those reported deaths. Monroe County has reported 40 deaths due to COVID-19.
— WLRN News
Publix’s Vaccine Sign-up Site Will Open Again Friday — With Changes
Updated Friday at 6:00 a.m
Publix’s vaccine sign-up website is being upgraded with new features — aimed at keeping people better informed about their progress in trying to schedule appointments, including for the next sign-up this Friday.
In recent days, frustrated seniors have complained of sitting in front of their computers long before dawn, anxious to get a spot for the COVID-19 vaccine through the Publix website. But many seniors said they couldn’t get past a virtual waiting room, while also not having any idea whether they even had a chance at the scarce number of vaccines.
Publix on Wednesday said it has added a countdown clock to the website so customers can verify that their web page is refreshing. And the number of available appointments by each county throughout the state now shows on the website and is constantly refreshed and updated.
— By Lisa J. Huriash / The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Read more from our news partner at The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Younger Patients Are Vaccinated In South Florida Hospitals As Rollout Expands
Updated Friday at 5:56 a.m
People who are younger than 65 and have underlying medical problems are starting to get the COVID-19 vaccine in South Florida, broadening the distribution of the potentially life-saving doses.
Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade’s public hospital network, this week began vaccinating younger patients who have documented underlying conditions, acting with approval from the state to vaccinate those deemed “extremely vulnerable.” It’s one of the first South Florida hospitals to expand the list of recipients as the demand for the vaccine outstrips the supply.
“We will learn as we go, refine the process, and then expand the criteria based upon our vaccine supply,” Jackson CEO Carlos Migoya said Thursday.
— By Lisa J. Huriash / The South Florida Sun Sentinel
Read more from our news partner at The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
