COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone through the Affordable Care Act. But before you make the trip to your local pharmacy, check and see if your health insurance will cover it.

PolitiFact reviewed more than two dozen DeSantis press releases and news conferences from 2020 and 2021 about the vaccine rollout. We found no instance of DeSantis mandating vaccination.

Almost all Americans have some immunity against the virus, either through vaccination or prior infections. And hospitalizations, while increasing, are much lower than they were during past pandemic peaks.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo are directly contradicting federal health recommendations and warning residents against the new COVID-19 booster.

Florida is seeing an increase of RSV positivity rates. For most, the virus is mild — but experts say the virus can be more severe for infants, young children and older adults.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is criticizing efforts across the U.S. to tamp down a recent jump in COVID-19 cases through temporary restrictions or masking. DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo spoke against COVID-19 restrictions that have been implemented recently to combat a new uptick in COVID cases.

The state reported the most cases of the summer, although numbers remain far lower than in the previous three summers. Also, the state had 90,232 reported resident deaths due to the virus.

After a surge in summer travel, COVID numbers are on the rise just as Florida schools resume classes.

Since the law went into effect July 1, Florida's undocumented workers are fearful of going to the hospital. Healthcare workers say that affects everyone.

The state Department of Health documented nearly 3,000 more cases per week over the two weeks ending July 20 compared with the prior five weeks. Health officials say waning immunity could be the reason.

A federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit alleging the University of Miami should refund money to students because of a campus shutdown early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that includes issues such as barring businesses and government agencies from requiring people to take COVID-19 tests or wear masks to enter their facilities.