Lynn Hatter

Florida’s community and state colleges will now have to send coronavirus case updates to Gov. Ron DeSantis' office. The change came down at Friday’s...

The Florida Department of Health reported 2,583 new COVID-19 cases in Florida, Sunday, increasing the statewide total to 621,586 cases.State health officials also reported 14 new coronavirus-related deaths of Florida residents, Aug. 30, bringing the statewide death toll to 11,263 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic. Sunday's increase in deaths marks the lowest single-day increase in COVID-related fatalities since June 22.

During the coronavirus pandemic, states have struggled with staggering revenue losses and budget shortfalls. Here's what is happening in Florida.

State Health officials reported another record, Wednesday, for coronavirus-related deaths with 216 new fatalities. July 29 marked the first time the Florida Department of Health has reported a single-day death toll exceeding 200 deaths.So far this month, Florida has seen 2,783 reported deaths for a total of 6,457 fatalities. 2,836 of Florida's COVID-19 deaths, accounting for nearly 44% of Florida's overall death toll, have been among staff and residents of long-term care facilities.

Thursday marked another record high day for coronavirus-related deaths in Florida with health officials reporting 156 fatalities. Thursday’s deaths mark an 18 percent increase over the previous single-day high of 132 deaths reported Tuesday.The statewide death toll now stands at 4,782 fatalities. Florida's seven-day average for deaths grew to more than 95 a day, Thursday, which is more than double the daily death average less than two weeks ago.

The school year for Leon county is slated to start August 19, but the date is looking incredibly shaky amid fears from teachers worried about their health and safety. The Leon County Classroom Teachers Associated received 554 responses to a poll asking teachers their thoughts about a Fall return. Most of the teachers said they didn’t feel safe about reopening schools.

The Leon County School Board will get an update on the district’s reopening plan at it’s 6 p.m. hearing tonight. School officials have been rolling out their proposal incrementally in recent weeks. Among the suggestions: face masks when social distancing cannot be maintained, a block schedule for middle and high schools, and daily temperature checks.

Florida hit a grim new record, Sunday, as state health officials reported 15,300 new cases of COVID-19, which shatters the national record for the highest number of new confirmed cases of the virus reported in a single day. California held the previous record with 11,694 cases of the virus reported four days prior, and before that New York set the record with 11,571 cases reported April 15th.Sunday marked the third consecutive day of single-day increases of at least 10,000 cases of the virus and the 19th consecutive day of at least 5,000 new cases. Florida’s total caseload now stands 269,811 cases.The Florida Department of Health also reported 45 new coronavirus-related deaths, July 12, increasing the statewide death toll to 4,242 fatalities. Last week, Florida reported more coronavirus-related deaths than during any previous seven-day period since the pandemic began with an average of 71 deaths per day.

The number of new COVID-19 cases documented in Florida, Thursday, topped 5,000 for the second consecutive day. The Florida Department of Health reported 5,004 new coronavirus cases, June 25, increasing the statewide total to 114,018 cases.State health officials also reported 46 new coronavirus-related deaths, Thursday, bringing the statewide death toll to 3,327 fatalities.

The number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by state health officials, Wednesday, shatters the previous daily record of new cases. The Florida Department of Health reported 5,508 new cases of the virus, June 24, increasing the statewide total to 109,014 cases. Wednesday’s increase in coronavirus cases is 36 percent more cases than the previous single-day record announced last Saturday.