Florida Department of Health

A federal judge struck down a lawsuit from parents of disabled children, Wednesday, that challenged Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order barring Florida school districts from imposing mandatory mask mandates on students.AARP is sounding the alarm as CDC data shows that COVID-19 deaths in Florida nursing homes have sharply increased in the past month amid a statewide surge in new infections and deaths.County-level data on COVID-19 deaths in Florida is once again available, more than three months after the state stopped publicly reporting the information through its COVID-19 online dashboard.Lee Health continues to report gradual declines in its hospitalized COVID patient population, even as resources remain significantly strained.The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is downplaying concerns that a federal mandate requiring vaccination of most hospital employees will exacerbate the healthcare worker shortage.

Governor Ron DeSantis has appealed a Leon County Circuit Court Judge’s ruling striking down his executive order barring school districts from imposing student mask mandates.Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran sent a letter, last week, threatening to withhold state funding from the Lee County School district due to its mask-wearing policy for students, which only allows students to opt-out with a doctor’s note.The Florida Department of Health, last month, changed the way it reports the number of deaths from COVID-19 to a method that misleads people into believe there's been a decline in deaths.The Orlando Utilities Commission is reminding customers to conserve water as an unprecedented surge in the coronavirus causes a shortage of liquid oxygen. Two weeks after making the request, the utility says customers are saving on water, but not enough.With Florida legislative committee meetings starting later this month in advance of the 2022 annual law-making session, the state Senate is not planning to limit public access as Florida continues battling the COVID-19 pandemic.The Carnival Cruise Line plans to require proof of vaccination for passengers when cruises resume from some Florida ports in November.Federal COVID rental assistance relief funds in Sarasota and Manatee County have been slow to reach residents in need.

State health officials reported 11,256 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, for a total of 1,376,692 infections. The Florida Department of Health also reported 103 new coronavirus-related deaths, yesterday, for a total of 22,415 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.

Lee County Manager Responds to Criticism of the county’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Gov. Ron DeSantis urges patience amid surging demand for the vaccine. State health officials reported 13,871 new COVID-19 cases and 137 coronavirus-related deaths, Wednesday. Plus, details on how the vaccine rollout is going and how to make an appointment in Southwest Florida Counties.

After seniors camped out in 50-degree weather overnight to wait in line for a COVID-19 vaccination, Lee County Manager speaks to the press.

At 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday Lee County officials tweeted all three COVID-19 vaccination sites in the county had reached capacity.

Vaccine distribution begins today in Charlotte and Manatee counties for high risk frontline medical workers and people 65 and older. WGCU's John Davis spoke with reporter Andrea Perdomo who visited a drive-through vaccination clinic at Harold Avenue Regional Park in Port Charlotte opened this morning.

COVID-19 vaccines began being distributed in Southwest Florida counties this week. Here is how distribution is being carried out Charlotte, Manatee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Lee Counties.

COVID-19 vaccines in Lee County were distributed for the second day Tuesday to frontline healthcare workers and to those 65 years of age and older.During a press conference, Lee County Board of County Commissioners chairman Kevin Ruane said vaccination sites reached capacity early in the day.

State health officials reported 11,015 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, for a total of 1,212,581 cases.The Florida Department of Health also reported 112 new coronavirus-related deaths, Dec. 21, increasing the statewide death toll to 20,976 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.