Florida

National

Florida Smashes Coronavirus Case Record: Nearly 9,000 Positive Cases On Thursday

3:34pm June 26, 2020

by Greg Allen

Florida suspends consumption of alcohol at bars as the state's daily count of coronavirus infections reaches nearly 9,000 — smashing the earlier record set on Wednesday of 5,000.

People wait for health assessment check-in before entering Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on June 18. Miami-Dade County is easing some of the lockdown measures put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Florida has recently experienced an increase

Florida Doctor Urges Young Residents Not To Assume COVID-19 Is 'Benign'

6:28pm June 23, 2020

by David Greene

The median age of coronavirus patients in the state has dropped since reopening. Dr. Cheryl Holder of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University discusses why.

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Florida's COVID-19 dashboard, here in a snapshot Monday, shows the state has more than 100,000 confirmed coronavirus cases.

Florida Passes 100,000 COVID-19 Cases

3:58pm June 22, 2020

by Greg Allen

Florida is one of a handful of states that's seeing a surge of record daily high cases. The governor says the jump is because of increased testing for the coronavirus.

Cars line up to enter SeaWorld as it reopens, on June 11, in Orlando, Fla. The park had been closed since mid-March to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

National

Florida Officials Spar Over Rising COVID-19 Cases

9:08pm June 16, 2020

by Greg Allen

As Florida's COVID-19 numbers continue to break records, the state's top officials are sparring over what to do to try to stem the increases.

Rebekah Jones says she was fired after she refused to manipulate coronavirus data at the Florida Health Department. Now she has launched her own COVID-19 data portal for the state.

Fired Florida Data Scientist Launches A Coronavirus Dashboard Of Her Own

6:15pm June 14, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

Rebekah Jones says she was fired after refusing to manipulate COVID-19 data. Her new portal is a reflection of how contentious coronavirus data has become amid battles over the states' reopening.

Florida's COVID-19 dashboard, here in a snapshot Monday, shows an uptick of cases.

National

Florida's Rising COVID-19 Numbers: What Do They Mean?

7:35pm June 08, 2020

by Greg Allen

Epidemiologists are trying to understand why Florida's COVID-19 numbers are going up again. An easing of closures and social distancing requirements are likely to blame.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) talks to Vice President Pence as they wait for their lunch at Beth's Burger Bar in Orlando, Fla., on May 20.

National

Florida Governor Defends Firing Of Top Data Scientist

7:29pm May 20, 2020

by Greg Allen

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lashed out about the firing of data scientist Rebekah Jones. DeSantis attacked Jones' claims that she created the state's highly praised COVID-19 dashboard portal.

Florida's COVID-19 dashboard, here in a snapshot Tuesday, has won praise from researchers for its accessibility and details.

National

Florida Ousts Top COVID-19 Data Scientist

8:27am May 20, 2020

by Greg Allen

Florida's top COVID-19 data scientist has been dismissed. Rebekah Jones says she's been fired for refusing to manipulate data "to drum up support" for the state's plan to reopen.

Clearwater Beach opened to the public on Monday with signs warning beachgoers to practice social distancing.

Florida Enters 1st Phase Of Reopening As Some Restrictions Lift In All But 3 Counties

3:09pm May 04, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

Under the new order, restaurants and retail stores can open. It does not extend to the three most populous counties, all in South Florida, which are home to most of the state's confirmed cases.

A normally busy intersection in Orlando is nearly deserted on April 6. Restaurants and retail stores in most of Florida will be allowed to open at limited capacity on Monday.

National

Florida Chamber Of Commerce President: Businesses Will Promote Safety In Reopening

2:34pm May 01, 2020

by James Doubek

Mark Wilson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce says businesses will emphasize their health practices to attract customers when reopening. Restaurants and retailers will open at 25% capacity Monday.