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
On Sunday State Reports More Than 2,000 New Cases, Only 13 Deaths
Updated Sunday at 5:16 p.m.
Sunday’s Florida Department of Health’s daily COVID-19 dashboard report showed 2,069 new cases, 11 resident deaths and only 13 total deaths, as cases, deaths and hospitalizations continue sliding down.
The 13 total deaths was the fewest since nine on April 11. That was also a Sunday, usually the day with the lowest case numbers and death toll because data tends to be collected and entered at a lower rate on the weekends.
For the coronavirus pandemic, Florida reports 2,310,335 cases, 36,474 resident deaths and 37,207 total deaths.
— By David J. Neal / Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner the Miami Herald
Florida Adds More Than 2,300 New Cases, 94 New Resident Deaths
Updated Friday at 3:40 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 2,371 positive cases of COVID-19 Friday. The state has a total of 2,304,860 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Friday update also included the announcement of 94 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 36,441. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 37,172.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties make up 12,253 of those reported deaths. Monroe County has reported 50 deaths due to COVID-19.
— WLRN News
Miami-Dade Finally Reopened Its Transit-Pass Office, And The Lines Lasted Hours
Updated Friday at 5:50 a.m.
Less than two weeks before transit fares return in Miami-Dade County, the office in charge of renewing free transit passes finally reopened Thursday after being closed more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 600 people showed up, overwhelming staff and prompting administrators to call in park employees to help process the overflow crowd and keep them hydrated with water jugs. That was before the power went out in that area of the Stephen P. Clark Center, delaying the process for more than an hour.
“I’ll stand in line as long as they want me to,” said Jerilene Plez, 70, who needed a replacement Golden Passport card for one she said was stolen from her house in the Opa-locka area. “I take the bus for everything. I don’t drive.”
— By Douglas Hanks / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald
Carnival’s Princess Cruises, Holland America Are Set To Restart U.S. Cruises This Summer
Updated Friday at 5:40 a.m.
Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line will resume voyages in the U.S. this summer, starting with Alaska sailings.
Carnival Corporation on Thursday announced that its three cruise lines will begin seven-day excursions — from Seattle, Washington, to Alaska — in July.
“We are excited to once again serve our guests from the U.S., and we express our deep gratitude to all national, state and local officials who have worked collaboratively with us, the CDC and our entire industry to make this possible,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, in a statement.
— By Devoun Cetoute / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald
Angry Parents Flood School Board Meeting, Want Their Kids' Masks Off Now
Updated Friday at 5:39 a.m.
After hours of testimony from angry parents, the Palm Beach County school board pressed Superintendent Donald Fennoy to immediately get the message to principals and teachers that students aren't to be punished for face mask missteps.
The move was a reaction to reports that kids are getting referrals and suspensions, and are basically being bullied when they don't maintain proper masking etiquette.
They also cleared the way for any children and staff to unmask — regardless of distance — when outdoors.
— By Sonja Isger / The Palm Beach Post
Read more from our news partner at The Palm Beach Post
