COVID cases on the rise in South Florida as kids prepare to return to school

Florida grand jury investigating COVID-19 vaccines finds no evidence of criminal activity

EX-BSO deputy convicted in COVID-19 relief fraud scheme

DeSantis and Florida surgeon general warn against new COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday criticized recent efforts across the U.S. to tamp down a recent jump in COVID-19 cases through temporary restrictions or masking and his state surgeon general warned against getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available this month.

Medical experts offer warning as EG.5 variant has COVID cases rising

A dominant COVID variant has led to a rise in new cases.

Do common cold symptoms feel worse now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over?

Getting back to normal in a post-pandemic world brought back a sense of normalcy for many, but not every experience has been a positive one.

DeSantis proposes permanent ban on COVID-19 mandates

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing legislation to permanently ban COVID-19 health measures aimed at mitigating the virus.

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.

New advisory council forms to tackle South Florida nursing shortage

The Keiser Nursing Advisory Council includes representatives from Keiser University, Mount Sinai Medical Center, state lawmakers and several other stakeholders.

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Miami-Dade Corrections holds memorial service for officers who died of COVID

A somber ceremony was held Tuesday to honor detention officers who passed away after contracting COVID-19 last year.

South Florida doctor on new approval for COVID vaccines for babies, toddlers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines for children as young as 6 months old.

Report: Florida threatened Special Olympics with $27.5M in fines over vaccine mandate

State officials said the vaccine rule was against the law, and it disqualified Special Olympics athletes from competing based on their vaccine status, ABC News reports.

Medical experts offer warning amid rise in cases of flu and COVID-19

Data from the Florida Department of Health says flu numbers are increasing in much of the state, including Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

WATCH: White House health officials provide latest COVID updates

The White House COVID-19 Response Team and public health officials held a news conference Wednesday to provide the latest updates on the pandemic.

COVID-19 cases on the rise in South Florida, doctors concerned over possible summer surge

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in South Florida, but doctors say people aren't getting nearly as sick as they did in the past surges.

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.

More COVID vaccine booster shots are likely in the future, doctor says

Americans with chronic conditions now have access to the two COVID-19 vaccine shots plus two booster shots. There needs to be a four-month period between each booster shot, according to federal public health officials.

Florida leads multistate effort to sue Biden administration over transportation mask mandate

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Tuesday that Moody will be leading 20 other states in taking legal action against the Biden administration over the federal mask mandate on public transportation.

Miami Beach police officer’s workers comp claim denied despite 11-week hospitalization with COVID-19

At times during his hospitalization, Miami Beach Police Officer J.C. Sampedro was intubated and on a ventilator.

COVID ‘doesn’t feel like an emergency right now’ in South Florida

South Florida doctors are optimistic that there is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, with the number of patients in hospitals decreasing and people who are admitted not being as sick as was seen in months past.

Masks are now optional for Publix employees

Publix has updated its mask policy for employees.

Program follows long-term impact of COVID infection on the heart

University of Miami Health System has created a designated COVID heart program to follow coronavirus patients throughout their recovery.

Mask use optional at Miami-Dade and Broward public schools

Beginning Monday, the use of facial coverings is optional at Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Face masks now optional in classrooms across Miami-Dade

The rollback on the policy is happening as COVID cases are easing in the Sunshine State.

Surgeon general refuses to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, appointed in September by Gov. Ron DeSantis, refused to disclose his COVID-19 vaccination status during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Daughter outraged after being kept in hospital lobby while mother was passing away

Jessica Perez says she got to Kendall Regional Medical Center as fast as she could after her mom’s doctor told her she was in her final hours and should come say good bye.

White House COVID-⁠19 Response Team holds news briefing

The White House COVID-19 Response Team will be holding a news conference about the state of the coronavirus pandemic at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Pfizer expected to seek emergency authorization on two-dose COVID vaccine regimen for young children

Pfizer is being urged to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen for children from six months to five years old.

Florida’s new COVID cases decrease for 2nd straight week

Florida has now gone two straight weeks reporting fewer COVID-19 infections than the week prior, showing that the state is now on the other side of the omicron variant peak.

Sen. Book on state’s top doctor: ‘Floridians deserve better’

After Republicans in the Florida Senate confirmed Dr. Joseph Ladapo as Florida’s surgeon general, Sen. Lauren Book said Thursday the state’s residents deserve better.

South Florida leaders ‘eagerly waiting’ for state to distribute drugs FDA says work against omicron

Broward and Miami-Dade county mayors say they have limited resources for treatments that work against the COVID-19 omicron variant but more are on the way.

Feds: Florida received effective COVID treatments against omicron

Florida closed the sites that were distributing COVID-19 antibody drugs that were not effective against omicron, as federal officials distributed treatments to states that were more efficient, officials said.

Dade mayor condemns handling of antibody treatment cancelations

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava condemned the way Florida’s contractor for monoclonal antibody treatments was handling the appointment cancelations for the treatment.

Florida closes monoclonal antibody treatment sites after feds limit use

Gov. DeSantis declines to say whether he’ll get COVID booster, says decision is ‘private matter’

Gov. Ron DeSantis once again refused to confirm whether he would receive or has already received a COVID-19 booster shot when asked by a reporter in Sarasota on Friday, calling the decision for Floridians a “private matter.”

South Florida has passed peak of omicron surge, experts say

“In Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, hospitals have already experienced their peak,” said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.

Free at-home COVID test kits for every American can be ordered online

Americans will be able to order tests at COVIDTests.gov, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering, according to a press release from the White House.

When will omicron peak in South Florida? Here is what experts say

In southeast Florida, there has been a drop in hospitalizations, which experts say could signal the peak in coronavirus omicron variant cases has passed.

New monoclonal antibody sites coming to South Florida

Markham Park in Sunrise, Miami Dade College’s north campus, and the West Boynton Regional Center in Lake Worth will be new monoclonal antibody sites.

Florida breaks record with 430,297 COVID cases this week

Florida reported 430,297 new COVID-19 cases from the past week, a new record that equates to more than 61,000 infections per day, according to the state health department’s report released Friday.

Florida reports 55K new COVID cases, 262 deaths

Florida added 55,573 new COVID-19 cases and reported an increase of 262 deaths tied to the virus in the latest CDC data.

Elective procedures managed on case-by-case basis as hospitals deal with COVID surge

When it comes to those in the hospital, recent data documents shorter stays with omicron versus delta.

Florida back over 70,000 daily COVID cases

Florida reported 71,742 new COVID-19 cases from Tuesday, a significant jump after two straight days when the increase was fewer than 50,000.

Jackson, UM Hospital to receive shipments of monoclonal antibody doses for immuno-deficient patients

Miami Dade’s Jackson Health System and the University of Miami Hospital will be getting coveted shipments of Evusheld next week, the monoclonal antibody that received FDA emergency use authorization last month.

Those hospitalized with omicron in South Florida mostly unvaccinated

Over the weekend, a total of nearly 127,000 new cases were reported, and the statewide positivity rate was 31.2 percent, the highest recorded during the pandemic.

Walmart temporarily closing Miami location for cleaning and sanitization

The store is located at 6991 Southwest 8th Street, and it will be closed from 2 p.m. Saturday until Monday morning at 6 a.m.

COVID-19 take-home rapid test kits available at some public libraries

Miami-Dade County will be distributing free COVID-19 take-home rapid test starting at 7:30 a.m., on Saturday, at eight Miami-Dade public libraries.

Broward teachers given expired at-home COVID-19 test kits

Demand is high for Broward's school teachers to have access to at-home tests, but many of the COVID-19 test kits they were given out were expired.

COVID-19 take-home rapid test kits now available at Miami-Dade libraries

Beginning Monday, Miami-Dade County residents may pick up free COVID-19 take-home rapid test kits at 27 public library locations.

DeSantis demands more Regeneron for Florida, but antibody not effective against omicron, studies show

Gov. Ron DeSantis says the Biden Administration is holding back on sending needed supplies of monoclonal antibodies and is “getting in the way of lifesaving treatments for Floridians.” But experts say the drug he wants doesn't work against the dominant omicron variant.

When in COVID-19 cycle should you get a PCR test or take a rapid test?

A new testing site in Miramar opens as demand increases, but what's best to get, a rapid test or a PCR test?

Is that COVID-19 test you found online a fake?

Scammers are out selling fake test kits, promising quick testing, and trying to get personal information, Florida's attorney general cautions.

Norwegian cancels Getaway cruise ship’s voyage after Pearl returns to PortMiami

The Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line canceled the Getaway cruise ship’s Caribbean voyage on Wednesday.

Florida adds nearly 60,000 more COVID cases

Florida reported 59,487 new COVID-19 infections from Tuesday, according to the latest CDC data posted Wednesday afternoon.

Walmart temporarily closes another store for cleaning – this time in Hollywood

Walmart confirmed Wednesday that it was temporarily closing yet another store in South Florida for cleaning amid the surge in COVID cases.

Masks required in church, Miami Archbishop says

With COVID-19 cases rapidly spreading across South Florida, the Archdiocese of Miami says it’s mandatory to mask up in church once again.

Fort Lauderdale cancels MLK parade, adds COVID test site

Fort Lauderdale is boosting its COVID-19 testing capacity, but in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, the city has also announced the cancellation of its Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

South Florida schools find ways to mitigate against staffing shortages

South Florida’s school districts are finding ways to cover staffing shortages amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

South Florida pediatricians say COVID positive patients too young for vaccines are showing respiratory symptoms

South Florida medical experts say they are seeing more cases of the omicron variant in emergency rooms, with patients who are too young to receive the vaccine showing respiratory symptoms.

‘The governor is an enemy of the people,’ well-known activist says as he’s handcuffed ahead of DeSantis news conference

Gov. Ron DeSantis had a scheduled COVID-19 news conference Tuesday morning at the Florida Department of Health – Duval County in Jacksonville, but it was a well-known activist who showed up at the news conference ahead of the governor who stole the show.

Florida reports 51,644 more COVID cases as hospitalizations climb

The Florida Hospital Association’s latest data from Monday shows 5,299 people admitted with COVID in the state, up from 4,485 on Dec. 31.

DeSantis says new monoclonal antibody sites are coming to South Florida pending more doses from federal gov’t

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday morning at the Broward Health Medical Center Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, at which time he announced the state would be opening new monoclonal antibody treatment sites across the state if they receive more doses from the federal government, and he also called on the federal government to allow states to directly purchase the doses themselves.

South Florida children’s hospitals seeing uptick in COVID-positive patients

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Holtz Children’s Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital are seeing thousands of pediatric COVID-19 cases come through their emergency departments at a rate much higher than even what they saw at the peak of the delta variant.

Florida adds 85,000+ COVID cases from New Year’s weekend

Florida reported 85,635 new COVID-19 cases from Saturday and Sunday, according to the latest metrics posted Monday by the CDC.

Archdiocese of Miami to require Catholic school staff and students to wear masks

The new policy will remain in place for three weeks, after which it will be reassessed.

Demand for COVID-19 testing remains high as Broward County opens new sites

In addition to this new site at the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency, officials will also be launching three other sites later in the week in Lauderhill, Tamarac and Miramar.

Florida reports 56,865 new COVID cases, positivity rate continues to soar

After days of record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State, Florida reported 56,865 new cases on Saturday and the positivity rates in South Florida continue to soar.

DeSantis makes appearance in West Kendall, does not address COVID-19 surge in Florida

DeSantis has not spoken recently about COVID-19 despite the record numbers of cases seen across the state.

Broward School Board votes to require all visitors, vendors to wear masks

The Broward County School Board is holding an emergency meeting Friday afternoon to discuss whether to alter its policy regarding face masks as students and staff members get ready to return to campuses Monday.

Broward Sheriff’s Office faces challenges as staffing shortages from COVID hit hard

More than 300 staffers from deputies to civilians are out sick with COVID-19 at the Broward Sheriff's Office, but the head of the department says it isn't an "operational failure."

Long lines continue for coronavirus tests on New Year’s Eve

People continued to crowd testing sites across South Florida, creating long lines.

COVID-19 cases in cast force cancellation of rest of ‘Hairspray’ run at Arsht Center

One performance of Hairspray and the remaining performances for the year of Peter London Global Dance Company: Touch & Rain On Me were canceled in Miami due to COVID-19 cases within the two separate companies, a spokesperson for the Adrienne Arsht Center confirmed Friday.