Publix

As Special Olympics Florida gears up for its 50th Anniversary, learn how the Torch Icon Campaign brings together Publix associates, customers, and local communities to support more than 60,000 Special Olympics athletes in Florida and beyond.

State health officials reported 2,296 new COVID-19 cases, Monday for a total of more than 2.2 million infections. The Florida Department of Health also reported 52 coronavirus-related deaths, May 10, increasing the statewide death toll to 36,498 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.The Florida Division of Emergency Management reports that as of Monday morning more than 9.3 million people in Florida have been vaccinated against COVID-19 including more than 2.2 million people who have received a first dose and more than 7 million people who have completed a two-dose vaccine series or received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.Publix grocery store locations offering COVID-19 vaccines are no longer requiring appointments. CVS, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, and Sam's Club had already allowed walk-ins.

State Health officials reported 6,118 new COVID-19 cases and 120 deaths, Thursday. As of Wednesday, more than 3.1 million people in Florida have been vaccinated, including more than 1.4 million who have received a first dose and more than 1.7 million people who have completed the series.Retail pharmacy sites offering the vaccine like CVS and Publix are now offering doses to K-12 school employees, daycare workers and those extremely vulnerable to the virus due to a medical condition, regardless of age.Florida Democratic leaders like Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried remain critical of the governor’s vaccine rollout, citing another example of an affluent community in the Florida Keys including nearly two dozen financial supports of DeSantis, that was given vaccine priority.A draft Inspector General’s report, this week, details problems with Florida’s unemployment benefit system.A U.S. Census Bureau survey this week reveals that most U.S. businesses are not requiring COVID-19 testing for workers or vaccines when employees become eligible to receive them.Democrats in the Florida House, Thursday, introduced a broad COVID-19 relief bill.

In addition to expanding appointments at its pharmacies, Publix announced it was adding 136 stores in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is growing as Governor Ron DeSantis amended a previous executive order, Monday, to expand vaccine access to teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers 50 and older. Younger people with medical conditions that would make them extremely vulnerable to the virus can also now get the vaccine through physicians’ offices and pharmacies. Previously that demographic’s access to the vaccine was limited to hospitals.Florida expects to receive 175,000 doses of the newly FDA-approved single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week.

State health officials reported 7,537 COVID-19 cases Wednesday and 160 deaths. Despite warnings from health officials about the more contagious COVID-19 variant known as B.1.1.7, Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed those concerns during a news conference at a new pop-up vaccine clinic in Venice. The new pop-up clinic increases vaccine access for residents in southern portions of Sarasota County. The City of Marco Island has a new vaccine registration system. Publix locations in Manatee and Sarasota Counties began administering vaccine doses this week. The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is working to track coronavirus cases related to the Super Bowl and celebrations surrounding the game.

The lawsuit contends that a Miami Beach deli worker was infected in late March by another employee who came to work with COVID-19.

The vaccine is now available at Publix stores and pharmacies in 325 stores across 23 counties in Florida.

State health officials reported 11,615 COVID-19 cases, Wednesday, for a total of 1,601,011 infections.The Florida Department of Health also reported 142 coronavirus-related deaths, Jan. 20, increasing the statewide death toll to 24,965 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.

Florida's partnership with the Publix grocery store chain to administer COVID-19 vaccine doses is now expanding into Lee and Charlotte Counties.Beginning Thursday, Jan. 21, 32 Publix pharmacies throughout Lee County will begin offering vaccine doses to eligible people 65 and older, frontline medical workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.Seven Publix locations in Charlotte County are also set to begin administering vaccine doses on Thursday. 16 Publix pharmacies in Collier County joined the vaccine rollout effort last week.