herd immunity

Plans announced by State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate, drew immediate concern and anger.Ladapo said the Florida Department of Health will eliminate rules set by his predecessors and request that the Legislature “get rid of the rest of it.” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will establish a “Make America Healthy Again” advisory committee overseen by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.

A number of Southwest Florida offices of the state department of health have back to school wellness activities remaining on their schedules for the 2025-2026 school year.Information and other safety topics include dental hygiene, immunizations, and proper installation of child seats.

State health officials reported 2,402 new cases of COVID-19, Wednesday, increasing the statewide total to 633,442 cases. The Florida Department of Health reported 127 new coronavirus-related deaths, Sept. 2, bringing the statewide death toll to 11,651 fatalities.Of the 4,681,135 COVID-19 tests that have been reported in Florida so far, the overall positivity rate continues trending downward to its current rate of 13.40%.

State health officials reported 6,093 new cases of COVID-19, Tuesday, marking the seventh consecutive day of single-day increases topping 5,000 cases. The total number of cases reported in Florida now comes to 152,434.The Florida Department of Health also reported 58 new coronavirus-relate deaths, yesterday, bringing the statewide death toll to 3,505 fatalities.