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.
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QUICK UPDATES
Florida Adds More Than 15,000 New Cases, 98 New Resident Deaths
Updated Tuesday at 4:55 p.m.
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed an additional 15,431 positive cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. Florida has a total of 1,392,123 confirmed positive cases, according to the state's health department.
Tuesday's update also included the announcement of 98 new resident deaths, increasing the statewide number of Floridians who died to 22,188. Factoring in non-resident deaths the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 22,515.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties make up 8,063 of those reported deaths. Monroe County has reported 35 deaths due to COVID-19.
— WLRN News
Monroe Schools Asks Kids Who Traveled Over Holidays To Stay Home
Updated at 10 a.m.
The Monroe County school district is advising parents that if their children traveled over the holidays, they should get tested for COVID-19 and stay home — even if they test negative.
"Your absence will be considered an excused absence and you will be able to continue to attend your classes virtually. Contact your school to let them know your circumstances and to find out how to keep up with your classwork while you are at home during this time period," the district posted on its website.
A text sent out to parents Monday said students who traveled should stay home for seven days if they test negative and for 10 days if they do not test.
— Nancy Klingener / WLRN News
DeSantis Says Hospitals Responsible For Vaccine Roll-out
Updated Tuesday at 5:15 a.m.
At a press conference to announce three additional vaccine sites in Miami, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday blamed Florida’s hospitals for the bumpy start to vaccinations and the first come, first served system that left thousands of seniors camped outside in waits that made national headlines.
“The state is not dictating to hospitals how they run their operations,” he said at Jackson Memorial Hospital Monday. “That would be a total disaster. These guys are much more competent to be able to deliver healthcare services than a state government could ever be. We are empowering the hospitals.”
The press conference was part of a two-stop press tour to roll out DeSantis’ plan to boost vaccination numbers.
— Samantha J. Gross and Ana Claudia Chacin / Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner the Miami Herald
