Social Distancing

The Laboratory Theater of Florida in Fort Myers is preparing to kick off its 12th season with a somewhat modified production of Dennis Giacino’s hilarious show “Disenchanted: a new Musical Comedy.”The Laboratory Theater won’t be opening the physical theater doors to patrons just yet. Rather, they’ve created an audio-visual hybrid film and stage production that people will be able to experience virtually while practicing social distancing in their very own homes.We’ll learn about the show and the ways the Laboratory Theater has been rising to the challenges of COVID-19 with founder and Artistic Director Annette Trossbach.

Bars in Florida will be permitted to reopen at 50% capacity starting Monday, Sept. 14. The AP reports, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears issued the emergency order, Thursday, at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

State health officials reported 1,823 new COVID-19 cases in Florida, Wednesday, increasing the overall total to 650,092 confirmed cases. Wednesday’s increase marks the lowest number of new cases reported in a day since June 15.The Florida Department of Health also reported 44 new coronavirus-related deaths, Sept. 8, bringing the statewide death toll to 12,067 fatalities.

State health officials reported 1,838 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, bringing Florida's total to 648,269 cases.Sept. 7 marked the lowest single-day increase in reported new infections in Florida since June 15, but whether the Labor Day holiday weekend will result in a surge in new infections, as the state experienced about a week after the July 4th holiday, remains to be seen.The Florida Department of Health also reported 22 new coronavirus-related deaths, Monday, bringing the statewide death toll to 12,023 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.

During an emotionally charged hours-long meeting, Thursday, Collier County Commissioners voted to extend a mandatory mask order imposed in late July, for another seven weeks until October 22.

State health officials reported 7,569 new cases of COVID-19, Tuesday and 187 new coronavirus-related deaths.The Florida Department of Health released a statement, Sept. 1, explaining that Tuesday's reported single-day increase in cases of the virus is inflated due to delayed reporting of test results from Quest Diagnostics. The Health Department's statement notes that the test reporting dump from Quest includes nearly 75,000 tests, some dating as far back as April.The incident has prompted the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to sever ties with the laboratory company.

State health officials reported 3,269 new cases of COVID-19, Thursday, increasing Florida's total to 611,991 cases. The Florida Department of Health also reported 135 new coronavirus-related deaths, Aug. 27, bringing the statewide death toll to 11,011 fatalities.

State health officials reported 3,220 new cases of COVID-19, Wednesday, increasing Florida's total to 608,722 cases. The Florida Department of Health also reported 153 new coronavirus related deaths, Aug. 26, bringing the statewide death toll to 10,872 fatalities.Wednesday marked the fourth consecutive day health officials reported fewer than 4,000 new cases of the virus in a day. The last time reported new cases were that low was June 16-19.

State health officials reported 2,673 new COVID-19 cases, Tuesday, increasing the statewide total to 605,502 cases. The Florida Department of Health also reported 183 new coronavirus-related deaths, Aug. 25, bringing the statewide death toll to 10,717 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.The downturn in the number of COVID-19 tests being reported in Florida continues, even though public health experts say more testing is crucial to containing the virus.

State health officials reported 2,238 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, increasing the statewide total to 602,829 cases.The Florida Department of Health also reported 72 new coronavirus-related deaths, Aug. 24, bringing the statewide death toll to 10,534 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.