COVID-19
Jackson Health workers reach highest flu vaccination rate in hospital group’s history
Jackson Health System has achieved a historic milestone, reaching an 80% flu vaccination rate among its workers, the highest in the hospital group’s history.
Miami woman accused of gambling COVID-19 relief funds to serve prison time, feds say
A Miami woman is headed to federal prison after authorities say she fraudulently obtained nearly $2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Former Miami Corrections sgt. sentenced to prison, must pay $432k over phony PPP claims
A former corrections sergeant with the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCRD), was sentenced to 18 months in prison for COVID-19 relief fraud, followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $432, 051 in restitution.
New COVID variant causing concern as positivity rate rises in Miami-Dade, Broward
A public health emergency has been renewed by the White House as COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise.
Gov. DeSantis, Fauci push back on President Biden’s comments saying the ‘pandemic is over’
President Joe Biden was in London on Monday for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, but comments that he made Sunday on the CBS show “60 Minutes” sparked concern from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Couple keeps COVID-19 at bay for over 2 years, then they went on a cruise
They kept COVID-19 at bay for more than two years, now a couple says they contracted the virus while on a luxury cruise.
Understanding the difference between COVID-19 diagnostic tests
Perhaps you have been feeling sick, or maybe you’re trying to be proactive if you’re going to an event soon and you want to get a COVID-19 test.
More at-home COVID test kits for Broward, Miami-Dade on Friday
Broward and Miami-Dade will distribute another round of at-home test kits on Friday at library locations in each county.
Some Broward County locations for at-home COVID test kits out of supplies early
Broward County received a limited supply of test kits to distribute to residents beginning Thursday at nine library locations, but five sites closed early.
Officials concerned about safety for travelers, residents in area as COVID cases rise
There were long lines at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, where testing had to be closed to accommodate those who were already in line.
Passenger wearing ladies’ thong as mask can’t fly United Airlines ever again
A man has been banned from United Airlines after boarding a plane in Fort Lauderdale wearing his signature thong as a mask.
Biden touts decline in unemployment, but jobs growth slowed in November
As more cases of Omicron are detected, the President faces a slow job growth report for November.
Omicron is ‘most worrisome variant we have seen so far,’ expert says
Health experts are concerned about a new COVID-19 variant named omicron.
Gov. DeSantis’ COVID-19 ban on vaccine mandates poised to become law
The Florida House and Senate are poised to give Gov. Ron DeSantis the ban on vaccine mandates that he has asked for despite Democrats best efforts at slowing it down.
DeSantis calls special session for bills aimed against vaccine mandates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calls a special legislative session about vaccine mandates for big businesses.
Head of CDC tells Local 10 about inching closer to getting vaccine approved for kids
The director of the CDC tells Local 10 about the importance of getting the green light for the COVID-19 vaccine for 28 million kids in the United States, ages five to 11 years old.
Los Angeles schools mandate vaccines for 630,000 students
Students age 12 and older in the Los Angeles school system must be vaccinated before they can return to classrooms next year under one of the toughest anti-COVID mandates enacted in the nation.
Another South Florida police officer dies from COVID-19
A veteran Coral Springs police sergeant died Friday from complications of COVID-19, according to its Chief of Police Clyde Parry.
Education leaders worried about COVID spread once school starts this week
With ICU pediatric unit bed capacity throughout Broward County wearing thin, education leaders are worried about the spread of COVID-19 when school starts on Wednesday.
Miami-Dade public schools not yet decided on mask mandate with classes starting soon
It's coming down to the wire and Miami-Dade County's public school system has not yet made a decision on if masks will be mandated for students and teachers when classes begin Monday, Aug. 23.
Mental heath experts help children and parents tackle back-to-school COVID-19 anxiety
There's the usual back-to-school stress in the coming year, but now there's the added anxiety of returning to in-person learning amidst COVID-19.
Memorial Hospital facing dilemma of having to put off certain surgeries due to COVID overload
Memorial Healthcare System is having to make tough choices as they face a strain on resources due to the influx of COVID-19 patients.
Broward County opens more COVID testing sites, plus could universities require student vaccinations?
Another COVID testing site opens in Broward, while in Miami-Dade, the mayor works with college and university leaders to figure out how to get more college-aged people vaccinated.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Twitter: ‘Stop with the mask fetish’
Republican senator Marco Rubio sends a video message on Twitter about mask wearing and getting vaccinated.
Going gambling? 2 casinos in Broward, Miami-Dade requiring masks again due to recent COVID spike
A Broward County casino and a Miami-Dade County casino are requiring masks be worn by all staff and guests inside their facilities after a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant.
Norwegian cruise ship sets sail for first time in 500 days
Norwegian Cruise Line announced their ship, the Norwegian Jade, officially set sail from Athens, Greece, making it the first ship in the company’s fleet to relaunch since cruises halted in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another round for frontline workers and, for them, it seems COVID-19 will never end
Medical professionals from union representatives to psychiatrists talk about the toll, both physically and mentally, the latest surge of COVID-19 is having on frontline workers and the effects could be lasting.
Even some healthcare workers at Jackson Memorial didn’t want a COVID-19 vaccine, so what’s wrong?
Medical professionals and public health experts are frustrated and exasperated. What will it take for the unvaccinated, who are now making up the majority of those hospitalized, to get protected against COVID-19?
Experts say vaccine hesitancy to blame as COVID numbers rise again in Miami-Dade, Broward
From exploring misconceptions to what role political ideology may be playing in a new explosion of COVID-19 hospitalizations, experts are weighing in on what is a growing and persistent rate of vaccine hesitancy.
Jackson Memorial Hospital alters visitation policy amid COVID-19 rise
Jackson Memorial Health System has revisited its visitor's policy as COVID cases rise again, but Miami-Dade County Schools superintendent says they are sticking with a masks optional policy.
Ruling about restrictions for Florida-based cruise ships from CDC has governor ready to continue fight
Gov. Ron DeSantis is prepared to keep fighting the Centers for Disease Control on restrictions they've put in place along with a no-sail order for Florida-based cruise ships.
Norwegian Cruise Lines sues Florida’s surgeon general over COVID-19 passport ban
Miami-based company Norwegian Cruise Lines filed a lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Kids and COVID-19 vaccinations? Here’s what some parents say
With Pfizer asking the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization for distribution to children 12 to 15-year-old, parents are reacting to the possibility that COVID-19 vaccines for kids may be available soon.
Florida’s Black, Hispanic communities lag behind in COVID-19 vaccination rates, data shows
Community leaders in minority areas are working to get their residents vaccinated against COVID-19.
Can your employer insist you get a COVID-19 vaccine? We asked a lawyer.
An employment lawyer has the answers to the question cropping up whether an employer can insist that workers have a COVID-19 vaccine or else lose their job.
Coronavirus: Latest local numbers by city | Miami-Dade, Broward counties
By the numbers. How many cases of coronavirus are in my city? See results from up-to-date test results for Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Free Uber, pop-up sites, TV campaigns as South Florida leaders urge for COVID-19 vaccinations
Civic leaders are pulling out all the stops to get people who are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine to get them to show up for a shot in the arm.
Broward Health to end public 1st dose COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Broward Health is the latest to announce they will no longer be offering 1st doses of the COVID 19 vaccine to the public.
Jackson Health System to end 1st dose COVID-19 public vaccination program
Jackson Health System will stop distributing vaccinations for COVID-19 to the public after April 30.
Demand for COVID-19 vaccine may be slowing in South Florida
The sites for COVID-19 vaccinations seem to be slowing down in South Florida and experts suggest that those who are vaccine hesitant need to be targeted.
Miami couple wins wedding hosted by FIU Hospitality students and staff after it was canceled due to COVID-19
As thousands of couples’ weddings across the U.S. were disrupted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one lucky couple in Miami will finally get to tie the knot — at absolutely no cost.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras festival extended as Florida drops COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to 18
Universal Orlando’s annual Mardi Gras celebration has been extended until May just as the state of Florida announced Florida residents of 18 years of age or older now qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Jackson Memorial Hospital marks one year of COVID with ceremony to honor victims and healthcare heroes
On Friday, 5,200 blue flags were placed at Jackson Memorial Hospital to honor the patients who survived COVID-19 and walked out of the hospital, and 1,000 white flags were placed for those who lost their fight against the virus.
Three Hialeah healthcare workers honored as heroes during surprise ceremony
After months of tireless leadership, sacrifice, and dedication to saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, three healthcare heroes were honored at a surprise ceremony, Thursday, by Hialeah Hospital and the Hialeah Fire Department.
Relationships got stronger during COVID, study finds
According to the study, despite all of the challenges of 2020, nearly 60 percent of couples report their relationships have gotten even stronger over the past year.
Need the COVID-19 vaccine? This website will text you when one is available nearby
As hundreds of thousands of Americans seek to get vaccinated for COVID-19 in the U.S., those who are eligible to receive it can now sign up to be on a standby list for the vaccine where they will be notified via text message when one is available.
Gen Z and millennials would look for another job post-COVID if workplace was not pet-friendly, survey finds
As hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. began working from home almost exactly one year ago, a trend among those working from their desks was their increased dependence on their furry companions – and their attachment to them.
Possible link to blood clots from COVID-19 infection
Doctors are seeing situations where COVID-19 may be creating serious medical issues in people with no past history of health problems.
Billboards by teachers union send message about ongoing disagreement with Broward superintendent
Broward Teachers Union continues to find ways to spread their message about Superintendent Robert Runcie's directive that all teachers return to the classroom.
Gov. questioned about Publix carrying vaccine, but rural communities don’t have access
With Publix being one of the main distributors of the COVID-19 vaccine, many in rural communities don't have access to the shot because those stores are not in the areas, people say.
Waiting to find out about getting 2nd dose at Hard Rock site?
Officials had some information at a press conference Sunday for those confused about their next dose if they received their first COVID-19 vaccine at the Hard Rock Stadium.
DeSantis says senior the 1 millionth to receive vaccine in state, but wait, not exactly
In a newly released video, Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn't make the same claim that he did Friday; that a war vet was the 1 millionth person in Florida vaccinated. The news is that we are nearing one million doses.
Former DOH analyst Rebekah Jones under arrest after anonymous message investigation
Former COVID-19 data scientist for the state of Florida, Rebekah Jones was arrested after an investigation into an anonymous alert sent from the state's messaging system was tracked back to her home, according to law enforcement.
Fired DOH analyst Rebekah Jones says she’ll turn herself in to police Sunday night
Former COVID-19 data scientist for the state of Florida, Rebekah Jones says on Twitter that she is turning herself into police Sunday after a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Before you go: Download and fill out COVID-19 vaccine consent forms
Before you go, fill out COVID-19 vaccination forms to make the process smoother.
Broward County mayor says message simple about masks: ‘Do your patriotic duty’
Mayors of Broward County and Miami-Dade County are sounding the alarm to get people from being lax in COVID-19 protocol.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis breaks two-week silence to talk about vaccines
Gov. Ron DeSantis makes his first comments in weeks about Florida and the coronavirus and it's all about the vaccine.
Chemotherapy and COVID-19: Are you at risk?
The biggest question I get from my patients is, “When is my immune system going to recover from the chemotherapy?”
Virus? What virus? Back to business as usual on Fort Lauderdale beach
There were plenty of bargoers on Fort Lauderdale beach Sunday and people on the sand. What there weren't a lot of were masks.
Man on the run stole $3 million worth of ventilators, FBI says
He allegedly stole $3 million worth of ventilators headed to El Salvador. Now the FBI is looking for the thief who they believe is in South Florida.
Fear of COVID-19 prompts early retirement for one of Memorial West’s first nurses
A nurse who had a career at a local hospital since 1992 takes an early retirement after fears of getting sick from COVID-19 spurred her to leave the profession.
$1 million hospital bill has COVID survivor fearing financial ruin
A Plantation couple has insurance but it probably isn't even going to make a dent in the huge cost of a COVID-19 hospital stay.
WATCH: Miami-Dade County mayor talks about Tropical Storm Isaias
All drive through and walk up testing sites will be closed starting Friday, July 31.
8-year-old Florida Keys boy hospitalized with illness caused by COVID
A Florida Keys boy is rushed to Nicklaus Children's Hospital where he diagnosed with an illness related to COVID-19.
Help line set up for Miami-Dade County residents seeking COVID-19 isolation rooms
With coronavirus numbers surging in Miami-Dade County, COVID-19 isolation rooms are being set up to keep symptomatic family members from spreading the virus.
Bahamas closing airports, seaports to United States visitors due to COVID-19
The prime minister of the Bahamas announced in his Sunday address that the country's borders will be closed to commercial travel from the United States.
Gov. Ron DeSantis updates COVID-19 response with message of ‘fear is our enemy'
Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis is speaking from St. Augustine about Florida's response to COVID-19.
This letter brought a Publix employee to tears -- the happy kind
A resident of Vero Beach, Florida, who is also an employee at a local Publix supermarket, Asli Knowles initially found it to be a struggle to communicate with customers when employees started having to wear face coverings in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID puts a lid on lively party town South Beach
The South Beach experience is definitely different this Fourth of July. And visitors have taken notice.
Broward, Monroe join Miami-Dade in closing beaches for Fourth of July weekend
Fort Lauderdale's mayor announces Fourth of July weekend beach closures; Broward County expected to announce Monday that all public beaches will be closed for holiday.
What Fort Lauderdale restaurants visited were COVID-19 compliant?
The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Community Enhancement and Compliance Division conducted unscheduled compliance checks of businesses throughout the weekend. 12 businesses were fined, but there were more than two dozen visited that were following the rules.
Younger people coming to ER for other reasons, then testing positive for COVID-19
Statewide and nationally, the age of Florida coronavirus is dropping, but that doesn't mean it should be taken lightly, experts say.
COVID-19 Response at University of Miami Health System
Dr. Dushyantha Jayaweera, physician-researcher at University of Miami Health System, discusses a clinical trial for a drug called Aviptadil that may help prevent death and serious illness due to COVID-19.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attributes spike in coronavirus numbers to farm workers’ outbreak
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis paid South Florida a visit Friday, so we asked him a few questions.
Do it yourself at CVS: Self swabbing for COVID in 4 Miami locations
Now you can administer your own test at driv-thru CVS COVID-19 sites in Carol City, Hialeah and Miami starting Friday.
First day of Miami-Dade County beach openings go smoothly
Miami-Dade County reopens its beaches with restrictions in place, but opening day was great all around.
Feeling lost amid coronavirus pandemic? Telehealth counseling might be the perfect option
These uncertain days of the coronavirus outbreak have been so difficult for so many, and sometimes, it seems like there’s no end in sight.
Miami-Dade offering small businesses ‘forgivable’ loans up to $25,000
Small business in Miami-Dade County can get up to $25,000 to help their businesses through a new county loan program.
Doctor: Time-sensitive diseases need immediate attention -- even during coronavirus pandemic
Just a few weeks ago emergency departments at hospitals like Mt. Sinai on Miami Beach were bustling with activity.
Miccosukee casino re-opens, betting on players wanting to return
The Miccosukee Tribe re-opened its casino Sunday morning. Miami-Dade County did not include casinos in its Phase 1 reopening plan.
Fort Lauderdale mayor gives green light for commercial gyms to open Monday
Fort Lauderdale mayor says commercial gyms can also reopen Monday. Initially, they were not in the city's Phase 1 reopening.
Beaches opening Monday, but Palm Beach County called ‘emerging COVID-19 hotspot’
Federal officials have raised concerns about the rapidly rising number of cases in Palm Beach County, according to an internal Trump administration document. On Monday, the county will continue the reopening it started May 11 with the opening of beaches.
Not everyone happy about no car traffic on Ocean Drive
The city of Miami Beach will close Ocean Drive to traffic with part of the effort to give restaurants more outdoor seating, but not everyone is happy about it.
Sneak peek: Coronavirus prompts changes at MIA
Safety protocols are being put into place at Miami International Airport to prepare for when travelers begin taking to the skies again.
Is this enough?: 32,000 tests performed to protect nearly 152,000 vulnerable residents
As vulnerable Florida residents continue to die during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis said long-term care facilities are the tip of the spear. Some of the relatives of the victims have been critical of the lack of testing at those facilities.
Tamarac fatal fire turns into illegal assisted living facility probe, deputies say
After a fire left a man and a woman dead, city inspectors found an overcrowded two-bedroom single-family home.
Coronavirus pandemic keeps families’ summer camp plans in limbo
The coronavirus pandemic is also disrupting South Florida families’ summer camp plans.
Without access to childcare, mothers struggle to rejoin labor force
Stephanie Trujillo was working as a restaurant manager in Miami-Dade County when the coronavirus pandemic forced authorities to lock down most businesses.
Miami Springs nursing home residents transferred to hospital
Some residents of a Miami Springs nursing home are being transferred to a hospital to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
16 residents of Wilton Manors nursing home die of coronavirus illness
At least 16 residents of The Manor Pines Convalescent Center in Wilton Manors died of complications with the coronavirus disease, state officials reported.
11 die of coronavirus at Golden Glades nursing home in Miami-Dade
Public health officials reported Friday coronavirus deaths at the Claridge House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Miami-Dade County’s Golden Glades area more than doubled in one week.
South Pointe Park re-opens, no face mask needed
The City of Miami Beach reopened South Pointe Park Monday after it was shutdown on May 4 because of visitors who were not compliant with rules put into place to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of the warnings issued were to people who were not wearing face coverings.
Florida Gov. gives OK to open barber shops, hair and nail salons Monday
Barber shops, hair and nail salons weren't originally included in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's plans in Phase 1, but on Saturday, he gave the OK for those businesses to re-open in Phase 1 counties.
Healthcare workers throughout South Florida get a morale booster with Blue Angels
Health care workers said seeing the US Navy Blue Angels in a salute to them was a moral booster.