Orange County School Board reinstates mask mandate with no opt-out
The Orange County School Board is reinstating a mask mandate following lengthy discussion and public comment on Tuesday. The mandate, which does not include an opt-out clause, is to be in place for 60 days and begins on Monday, Aug. 30.
The Orange County School Board is reinstating a mask mandate following lengthy discussion and public comment on Tuesday. The mandate, which does not include an opt-out clause, is to be in place for 60 days and begins on Monday, Aug. 30.
Central Florida school to close for rest of week due to COVID-19
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple students, teachers, and staff members at Celebration K-8 during this past week,” the school district said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple students, teachers, and staff members at Celebration K-8 during this past week,” the school district said.
Long-term side effects from COVID vaccines unlikely, data shows
Central Florida doctors and scientists said they know some are still hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine and want to wait to see what potential long-term effects might be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term effects are unlikely and serious side effects are very rare, happening in about 5 in 1 million.
Central Florida doctors and scientists said they know some are still hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine and want to wait to see what potential long-term effects might be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term effects are unlikely and serious side effects are very rare, happening in about 5 in 1 million.
Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Internal email shows Tampa will require vaccines for city employees
An internal email from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says all city employees will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
An internal email from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says all city employees will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Tampa pediatric nurse, mother of 3, dies from COVID-19
Nikki Bass' life revolved around children; her three girls -- Ally, Sierra and Hannah – and the children she treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She wasn't vaccinated and contracted COVID-19 as pediatric cases surged in her hospital. Now, at 38, she's gone and her family is left to pick up the pieces.
Nikki Bass' life revolved around children; her three girls -- Ally, Sierra and Hannah – and the children she treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She wasn't vaccinated and contracted COVID-19 as pediatric cases surged in her hospital. Now, at 38, she's gone and her family is left to pick up the pieces.
Unvaccinated individuals are 29 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19, CDC says
You are five times more likely to contract COVID-19 if unvaccinated.
You are five times more likely to contract COVID-19 if unvaccinated.
Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Don't listen to the politicians; get your vaccine'
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines prevented nearly 140,000 US deaths, NIH study says
The National Institute of Health conducted a study that found if it weren’t for the COVID-19 vaccines, the virus could have killed nearly 140,000 more people in the U.S.
The National Institute of Health conducted a study that found if it weren’t for the COVID-19 vaccines, the virus could have killed nearly 140,000 more people in the U.S.
State begins making its case on mask mandates
Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday began calling witnesses to back the state’s case against allowing school districts to impose student mask mandates, as a hearing continued in a lawsuit challenging a DeSantis executive order.
Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday began calling witnesses to back the state’s case against allowing school districts to impose student mask mandates, as a hearing continued in a lawsuit challenging a DeSantis executive order.
Pinellas school leaders vote against holding special meeting to address mask mandates
School board members in Pinellas County voted not to hold a special meeting on mask mandates despite demands from a group of parents, teachers and doctors that their school board follow the lead of the state's largest districts, like Hillsborough County, to require – not simply suggest – that everyone inside schools wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
School board members in Pinellas County voted not to hold a special meeting on mask mandates despite demands from a group of parents, teachers and doctors that their school board follow the lead of the state's largest districts, like Hillsborough County, to require – not simply suggest – that everyone inside schools wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Florida hospital ICU beds fill as delta variant spreads
Staffing shortages continue to remain a concern for Florida hospitals, as nearly 94 percent of the state’s adult intensive-care unit beds are occupied, data posted Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show.
Staffing shortages continue to remain a concern for Florida hospitals, as nearly 94 percent of the state’s adult intensive-care unit beds are occupied, data posted Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show.
Daily new COVID-19 cases in US near 230,000, Johns Hopkins says
Data collected by Johns Hopkins University on Aug. 24 shows the U.S. recorded nearly 230,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.
Data collected by Johns Hopkins University on Aug. 24 shows the U.S. recorded nearly 230,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.
Carnival Corp.
Pfizer CEO says COVID-19 vaccine-resistant variant likely to emerge
Pfizer CEO said the company believes a COVID-19 vaccine-resistant variant will likely one day emerge, though said a system is in place to quickly turn around a variant-specific jab.
Pfizer CEO said the company believes a COVID-19 vaccine-resistant variant will likely one day emerge, though said a system is in place to quickly turn around a variant-specific jab.
Disney Cruise Line becomes latest to require passengers to be vaccinated on Bahamas sailings
Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday joined other lines that dock in Florida in planning to require COVID-19 vaccinations for most passengers ages 12 or older traveling to the Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line on Tuesday joined other lines that dock in Florida in planning to require COVID-19 vaccinations for most passengers ages 12 or older traveling to the Bahamas.
No off-label prescribing COVID-19 vaccines to kids under 12: FDA
Physicians often use off-label prescribing when medical products are approved, a top FDA official said, but that it wouldn't be appropriate in this case.
Physicians often use off-label prescribing when medical products are approved, a top FDA official said, but that it wouldn't be appropriate in this case.
Hawaii governor urges visitors to stay away
Hawaii’s governor asked that visitors and residents reduce travel to the islands to essential business only while the state struggles to control COVID-19 as the highly contagious delta variant spreads in the community.
Hawaii’s governor asked that visitors and residents reduce travel to the islands to essential business only while the state struggles to control COVID-19 as the highly contagious delta variant spreads in the community.
Fauci expects vaccine uptick, hopes pandemic control could come in spring 2022
Dr. Anthony Fauci said he expects an uptick in vaccination rates following Pfizer’s full approval, and predicted that if enough people do get vaccinated, the country could see COVID-19 under control in the spring of 2022.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said he expects an uptick in vaccination rates following Pfizer’s full approval, and predicted that if enough people do get vaccinated, the country could see COVID-19 under control in the spring of 2022.