The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reports an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Tampa Bay area, some attributed to spread among household contacts, individuals going to congregate settings (i.e. weddings, places of worship, parties, etc.) and people who are traveling. DOH is urging members of the public to followContinue Reading
On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on new therapeutics to treat COVID-19, as well as Florida’s vaccine distribution plan once vaccines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Watch the Governor’s update by clicking the image below or clicking HERE. Wednesday’s update follows Governor DeSantis’ recentContinue Reading
Hillsborough County has extended its state of local emergency enacted in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the mandate that face coverings must be worn in indoor locations of businesses, with certain exceptions, remains in effect. Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise Wednesday signed an extension of the declarationContinue Reading
Scientists say the findings, published in PLOS Medicine, show that an acute loss of smell or taste is a ‘highly reliable’ virus indicator and should now be considered globally as a criterion for self-isolation, testing, and contact tracing. The cohort study, which assessed health data from primary care centres in London,Continue Reading
Tampa International Airport (TIA) announced this week the launch of the country’s first airport testing pilot that will offer two types of FDA-approved COVID-19 tests for all departing and arriving passengers. The testing site, located inside the Main Terminal near the Airside F shuttle, will offer both the rapid antigenContinue Reading
As COVID-19 quickly spread worldwide this spring, shortages of supplies, including the nasopharyngeal (nasal) swabs used to collect viral samples, limited diagnostic testing. Now, a multisite clinical trial led by the University of South Florida Health (USF Health) Morsani College of Medicine and its primary hospital affiliate Tampa General Hospital (TGH) provides the firstContinue Reading
Senate Democrats filibusters the COVID $300 billion virus relief bill designed to extend unemployment benefits for out-of-work Americans, funding for schools and liability protections for businesses and health care facilities. The bill was defeated in a 52-47 vote, not meeting the 60 needed to break the Democratic filibuster, with oneContinue Reading
At the request of former Board Chair Brad Prechtl and his wife Terri, the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (FCSF) is transferring all proceeds from the Brad & Terri Prechtl Fund to a newly-created special fund for immediate financial assistance to cancer patients who have been affected by COVID-19. The FCS Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization thatContinue Reading
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced that Sheriff Bob Gualtieri tested positive for COVID-19 Friday afternoon. Sheriff Gualtieri’s symptoms are mild and began with a loss of taste and smell. He has no fever or respiratory issues. Sheriff Gualtieri will follow direction provided by the Department of Health and remain home forContinue Reading
Starting Friday, Aug. 14, Hillsborough County residents are now able to receive free testing for antibodies to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The state-run site at Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, will offer 200 antibody tests a day, which indicate whether the person has antibodies associated with a pastContinue Reading
As students across Florida prepare to return to school later this month, simple behaviors could become heroic to significantly stop the spread of the disease – things like wearing a mask, staying six feet apart and coughing into an elbow instead of a hand. That’s the point of a newContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 8502 positive COVID-19 cases out of nearly 100,000 tests performed Friday, bringing the state totals to 526,577 cases with 8,109 deaths related to COVID-19. Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the formation of Florida’s Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long-TermContinue Reading
COVID-19 update The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 216 COVID-19 related fatalities for Tuesday, a one day record, bringing the state total to 6,333. Of the more than 88,000 COVID-19 tests performed, 9,446 new positive COVID-19 cases were reported, slightly higher than 12 percent of the total. Florida’s totalContinue Reading
The Supreme Court on Friday night turned down a request by a Nevada church for permission to hold services on the same terms that other facilities in the state, including casinos, are allowed to hold gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s liberal justices in denying theContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported COVID-19 test results for more than 116,300 individuals on Wednesday, of which 13,965 were positive (~13 percent). This brings the state total to 315,775 cases. By county, Miami-Dade has seen 75,425 cases, followed by Broward (35,566), Palm Beach (23,711), Hillsborough (21,577) and OrangeContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is working with community partners to provide COVID-19 testing throughout Pasco County. It is recommended that people call facilities prior to going for testing to ensure they meet any guidelines required by the provider. Here is a list of current COVID-19 testing sites for PascoContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recorded single day records in COVID-19 test results received and positive tests on Saturday. On July 11, 142,981 test results were reported to the state with 15,300 new positive COVID-19 cases out of that total, giving it a 11.25 percent positivity rate–a third-day decline.Continue Reading
A drive-thru, community-based COVID-19 testing site is now open Tuesday through Saturday each week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater at 400 1st St. S. Testing will be available for individuals regardless of symptoms. The test site is drive-thru only.Continue Reading
Hillsborough County officials announced this week they will soon open another COVID-19 coronavirus public testing site, this one in Town ‘N Country. Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley told Emergency Policy Group (EPG) members that the County will partner with Tampa Family Health Centers to open the location, expanding testing coverageContinue Reading
Today, Florida state health officials reported an additional 10,360 new positive COVID-19 cases, out of 87,000 people tested. This put the state’s case tally to 254,511 cases, the third most of US states. Another 95 deaths were recorded in 32 counties. Florida has now seen 4,197 deaths related to COVID-19,Continue Reading
After breaking the record for daily coronavirus cases and surpassing the 200,000 total cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, the Florida Health Department reported more than 6,000 new cases on Monday ahead of a press update. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday in an update in The Villages that the fatalityContinue Reading
