COVID-19 Florida

While Pinellas (2.1%), Sarasota (2.4%) and Hernando (2.4%) Counties recorded positivity rates below the state average, other counties in the region were higher, with Hillsborough and Pasco at 3.5% each, and Polk at 3.4%.

This ruling split from a South Florida federal judge, who sided in August with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in a challenge to the state law. In both cases, the plaintiffs argued that the law was an unconstitutional restriction on speech.

The state of Florida ups pressure over vaccine mandates. The battle against breast cancer. And the deadly year for one of Florida’s favorite marine mammals.

The Florida Department of Health on Friday proposed a long-term rule to try to prevent school mask mandates and give parents more authority to decide whether children who have been exposed to COVID-19 should be able to attend school.

The state has seen its cases and hospitalizations decline but an analysis from the New York Times finds its death rate is still among the highest in the country.

Florida reported a record 2,345 deaths from COVID-19 this week, an increase of 618 over last week.

The state also reported 21,723 new coronavirus cases — and the number people being treated in intensive care for COVID-19 patients increased for the first time in two days to 3,385.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration halted the COVID-19 daily reports in June and shifted to posting weekly information that is far less detailed.

The state has reported that more than 3,000 patients have been treated in hospital ICUs in Florida every day since Aug. 9.

Pregnant people have suppressed immune systems, so South Florida doctors say they need to consider the urgency of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, particularly given that the delta variant of the coronavirus is so contagious.

While members of the parent group understand the rights of parents to determine what's best for their children, the mask mandate debate is a bigger discussion about public safety.

A circuit court judge ruled against Gov. Ron DeSantis and his order prohibiting public schools from instituting mask requirements. An attorney representing parents who sued called it a "bulletproof" ruling.