WUSF will be providing the latest news and information on coronavirus in Tampa Bay and across the state. Here are the latest developments:
Here are the latest figures as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, according to the Florida Department of Health:
46,197 – Florida Residents | 1,274 – Non-Florida Residents | 2,096 – Deaths
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Researchers, Lawmakers Demand Answers After COVID-19 Data Manager Ouster
Researchers and elected officials are demanding answers from the state amid reports that it fired a scientist who was managing Florida's COVID-19 dashboard for "refusing to manipulate data."
Health News Florida's Stephanie Colombini talked with a University of South Florida researcher who depends on that state data for her work.
Lori Collins, a research associate professor with USF Libraries and School of Geosciences, is one of many researchers who worked with ousted scientist Rebekah Jones when she managed the Florida COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard as a Geometric Information Systems (GIS) Manager for the Florida Department of Health.
She said she can’t speak to what may have caused Jones’ apparent problems with the department but said she always has had positive experiences working with her. [Read more]
-- Stephanie Colombini
Tampa Bay Comic Con Still Set For July
Tampa Bay Comic Con announced on Facebook it still plans to hold its annual convention at the Tampa Convention Center from July 10-12, with mixed reactions from fans.
Organizers say the con will move forward with temperature screenings, hand sanitation stations, one-way walkways, occupancy restrictions, and increased cleaning and disinfection procedures.
On the convention’s Facebook announcement, comments ranged from excitement that the con is still happening, to dismay and accusations that organizers were disregarding public health. [Read more]
-- Daylina Miller
DeSantis: Florida Does Not Use Lab That Produced 35,000 Unreliable Results
Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state does not use the same lab that has produced 35,000 unreliable COVID-19 test results for AdventHealth.
Over the weekend, AdventHealth announced that the results of more than 35,000 COVID-19 tests performed by a third-party lab are unreliable. That includes 25,000 collected in Central Florida.
Speaking in Orlando Monday, DeSantis said the state of Florida considered using the same lab – but never did. [Read more]
-- Abe Aboraya, WMFE
Florida Matters: Hurricanes And Coronavirus Distancing
While most of us are still sheltering in place, trying to ride out the storm of coronavirus, well -- guess what -- a real storm may be just around the corner.
So how are we going to blend the emergencies of maybe having to get out of town with the need to socially distance from your possibly virulent neighbors?
We'll get some tips from Marcus Martin, planning chief with Hillsborough County Emergency Management; and first, from Cathie Perkins, director of Pinellas County Emergency Management. [Read more]
-- Steve Newborn
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