COVID-19

With respiratory illnesses on the rise, Lee Health is experiencing high capacity. Hospital officials suggest ways of seeking care that may or may not involve the emergency room.

The GOP-led panel wrapped up a two-year investigation with criticism for lockdowns, vaccines, social distancing and masking mandates.

U.S. households are eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at www.COVIDTests.gov. However, many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates and health professionals are encouraging people to check the dates before using them.

The number of Florida resident deaths this year linked to COVID-19 is nearing 3,000, according to data posted on the state Department of Health website. The data Monday showed 2,972 reported deaths related to COVID-19, up from 2,740 in early June.

As director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management since April 2021, Kevin Guthrie has run point on disasters from Category 4 hurricanes to a deadly condominium-building collapse in Surfside.Guthrie also has been charged with overseeing the evacuation of Floridians from strife-torn Haiti, along with a controversial program to transport migrants to “sanctuary” areas of the country.

Fewer fans during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a drop in economic returns on state programs that provide sports-related grants and incentives, according to a newly released state analysis.The Florida Sports Foundation claimed a small positive return for each $1 spent on grants to professional and amateur events, the analysis by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research found. But with many games held without fans or with limited crowds because of pandemic restrictions, larger incentives tied to publicly funded stadiums and arenas posted negative returns.

Among the best metro area for remote working in 2024:Boulder, Colorado, is the best metro area in America to work remotelyThe Raleigh-Cary metro area, North Carolina, is the second best suited for remote working in America, while the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area, Texas, is third.Punta Gorda, Florida, is fifth.

Lee Health announced Wednesday that the health system's hospitals are reaching capacity.

A settlement has now been reached requiring the Florida Department of Health to release COVID-19 data withheld from the public during the height of the pandemic.The Florida Center for Government Accountability and former State Representative Carols Guillermo Smith fought for release of the data in a two-year legal battle. We take a closer look at the settlement and what release of the hidden data will mean going forward in a conversation with Smith and the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Michael Barfield.