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
After Vaccines For Those Aged 55 And Up, All Florida Residents Will Be Eligible
Updated Wednesday at 3:20 p.m.
All Florida residents will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines as soon as those 55 and older have had a chance to get a shot, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference on Wednesday.
While he didn’t outline a specific timetable, DeSantis said he has no plans to continue to expand eligibility incrementally.
On Monday, those age 60 and up will be able to get shots. Once there are signs that the majority of those in the 60-64 age group have gotten the opportunity to have a shot, he will allow those as young as 55 to be inoculated.
Read more at the Palm Beach Post.
— By Jane Musgrave / Palm Beach Post
Florida Adds More Than 4,800 New Cases, 59 New Resident Deaths
Updated Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 4,853 positive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday. The state has a total of 1,957,586 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Wednesday's update also included the announcement of 59 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 31,948. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 32,543.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties make up 10,659 of those reported deaths. Monroe County has reported 47 deaths due to COVID-19.
— WLRN News
Medically At-Risk People Can Now Get COVID Vaccine In Broward County. Here’s How
Updated Wednesday at 10:31 a.m.
Floridians age 16 and older who have a medical condition that makes them “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination at state-run sites in Broward County.
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County announced the criteria expansion late Tuesday. Sites include at Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs, Markham Park in Sunrise, Tree Tops Park in Davie, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek and Central Regional Park in Lauderhill, and Broward College’s Coconut Creek campus.
Previously, people with at-risk conditions could only get vaccinated through hospitals, pharmacies, doctor offices and federally run sites like the one at Miami Dade College North campus.
— By Michelle Marchante / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at the Miami Herald.
Another COVID Vaccination Site Opened In Miami-Dade Tuesday, This One In Homestead
Updated Wednesday at 6:10 a.m
A new COVID vaccination site has opened at Homestead Sports Complex, four miles away from where the FEMA-run site at the Florida City Youth Center finishes its run Wednesday.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Communications Director Rachel Johnson said the site hopes to vaccinate 250 people per day the first week. After that, Johnson said, it’s a matter of how many vaccine shots the site receives from the state.
Unlike the FEMA site, the city of Homestead and the county are running this site at 1601 SE 28th Ave. in Homestead. So, it’s appointment only, requiring people to register at the county’s vaccination website or call 305-614-2014. When appointments are available, you’ll be contacted.
— By David J. Neal / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
Palm Beach County Opens New Round Of COVID Rent Assistance. Here's How To Apply
Updated Wednesday at 6:00 a.m
Millions of dollars in new federal aid will be available to Palm Beach County renters who were affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
County commissioners signed off on a plan Tuesday for the county's community services department to dispense $45.2 million for rent and utility assistance. The county received the dollars as part of the $25 billion that Congress approved in December for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Renters who are seeking help after direct or indirect effects from the coronavirus pandemic can apply starting 8 a.m. Wednesday at rentalassistancepbc.org. Homeowners or tenants renting out their family's homes with a mortgage are not eligible.
— By Hannah Morse / The Palm Beach Post
Read more from our news partner at The Palm Beach Post.
Some Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital High-risk Teens Can Now Get The COVID-19 Vaccine
Updated Wednesday at 5:44 a.m
Certain teen patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital are the newest to get clearance for the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Tuesday, Memorial Healthcare System announced it is expanding COVID-19 vaccinations to certain high-risk 16- and 17-year-old patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Currently, the hospital is limiting vaccines to seniors 65 and older, who are Florida residents or seasonal residents, and Memorial patients between 18 and 64, who are Florida residents or seasonal residents and meet the CDC criteria for being at increased risk of severe illness from the virus.
— By Devoun Cetoute and Carli Teproff / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
