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 More Than 4,000 New Cases, 66 New Deaths
Updated Sunday at 5:20 p.m.
The state of Florida’s COVID dashboardreported 4,098 more people with COVID-19 and 66 total deaths from the novel coronavirus, the fewest since the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
That day, the state reported 59 total deaths. But only twice before in 2021 has Florida seen a day in which it reported fewer than 100 total deaths.
For the pandemic, Florida has reported 1,944,995 people with COVID, 31,683 residents killed by COVID and 32,266 overall deaths from the disease.
— By David J. Neal / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner the Miami Herald
Florida Adds Nearly 6,000 New Cases, 135 New Resident Deaths
Updated Friday at 3:05 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 5,975 positive cases of COVID-19 Friday.
The state has a total of 1,936,207 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Friday's update also included the announcement of 135 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 31,522. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 32,093.
— WLRN News
Vaccines Available At MDC Site For Medically Vulnerable, But A State Form Is Required
Updated Friday at 6:15 a.m
The federal vaccination site at Miami Dade College is open to people with medical exemptions, but a state form is required.
A spokesperson for the operation said staff will begin fully enforcing a paperwork requirement on Friday that will mandate a state form to receive a vaccination for people deemed to be facing “extreme vulnerability” to COVID-19. The form must be signed by a doctor. Notes from physicians and other medical documents will not be accepted, said spokesman Mike Jachles.
“The last thing we want is for someone to waste a trip and not be able to be serviced,” he said during a press conference outside the tent compound where U.S. Army soldiers were administering hundreds of doses an hour. “It’s important to abide by this.”
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
— By Douglas Hanks / The Miami Herald
Publix Soon Opening COVID-19 Vaccines To Florida Educators, Childcare Workers
Updated Friday at 6:10 a.m
Publix will join Walmart in expanding its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility list by including teachers and childcare staff.
Starting Friday, Publix will allow appointments to be made for all Florida K-12 educators, and childcare teachers and personnel.
On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida will be following the Biden administration’s federal mandate, which directs states to vaccinate all pre-K-12 teachers, staff and childcare workers.
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
— By Devoun Cetoute / The Miami Herald
COVID-19 Vaccine Sites Open In Florida City, Sweetwater. They’ll Be Gone In A Few Days
Updated Friday at 6:05 a.m
For the next six days, two temporary federal-run COVID-19 vaccine sites each in Florida City and Sweetwater will administer doses at walk-up sites.
Through March 10, Ronselli Park Youth Center in Sweetwater, which is at 250 SW 114th Ave., and Florida City Youth Activity Center, at 650 NW 5th Ave., will serve as satellite vaccine sites.
Both sites will be open each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. These sites do not need appointments, and walk-ups are encouraged. Those eligible for a vaccine are:
▪ Long-term facility residents and staff.
▪ People 65 years of age and older.
▪ Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact.
▪ K-12 school employees 50 years of age and older.
▪ Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older.
▪ Firefighters 50 years of age and older.
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
— By Devoun Cetoute / The Miami Herald
