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Florida House to get early look at COVID liability bill
A bill that would provide COVID-19 liability protections to businesses will be one of the first pieces of business of the Florida House’s 2021 legislative session.
Florida DOH data indicates 2.6 million people have been vaccinated so far
According to new data from the Florida Department of Health that’s more than 2.6 million people who have received the vaccine.
First dose appointment notices going out for Tuesday in Sarasota County
Sarasota County has announced that the next round of first dose appointments will be going out today, Feb 21. at noon.
A Suncoast Hospital is now offering a new procedure to help Carotid Artery Disease patients
TCAR procedure is a minimally invasive procedure for carotid artery disease patients.
MOST RECENT
5-year-old cancer patient made honorary deputy
Jeremiah, a 5-year-old cancer patient, became an honorary deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Feb. 18.
Pop-up vaccine program working, DeSantis says
Gov. Ron DeSantis touted the effectiveness of the state’s pop-up vaccine site strategy Thursday morning at a distribution event in Pinellas Park
Suncoast churches celebrate Ash Wednesday in unique style due to the COVID-19 pandemic
On Ash Wednesday, the Suncoast faithful came out in a socially distant way to mark the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. Despite the pandemic, people still received their traditional ashes, but differently than normal.
Manatee County postpones Bennett Park vaccinations this week
Manatee County will be reaching out to 5,100 seniors to reschedule Bennett Park COVID-19 vaccinations for Feb 18 and 19.
State focused on Seniors First approach for vaccines, people with underlying conditions wondering when it’s their turn
For weeks Governor DeSantis has said his main focus for vaccine distribution is seniors 65 and older and frontline health care workers. No other focus groups for the vaccine have been announced by the state yet, but people with underlying conditions are wondering when they're next
More COVID-19 vaccine updates in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Both Manatee and Sarasota Counties have provided updates on vaccine distribution this week.
FDOH: As weather slows down vaccine distribution, positivity rate remains around 6%
The Florida Department of Health is reporting a statewide positivity rate of 6.61% as total cases of COVID-19 approach 1,837,285 since March. Organizations are also concerned that bad weather across the U.S. may delay vaccine shipments.
Publix canceling COVID-19 vaccination scheduling due to weather
Due to the inclement weather across the country Publix will be suspending its online reservation system on Wednesday, Feb 17.
Winter storms may delay arrival of COVID-19 vaccines to Florida
The supply line for coronavirus vaccines to Florida could be disrupted due to the severe winter weather across the country.
Covid vaccinations to happen all week in Manatee County
Covid vaccinations to happen all week in Manatee County
FDOH positivity rate holds steady in Friday update
The Florida Department of Health released its Friday dashboard update, which shows no significant growth in the state’s positivity rate. The state is reporting a positivity rate of 6.22%.
Sarasota County officials issue update on COVID-19 vaccine appointments
Sarasota County tweeted out information regarding notifications for the Coronavirus vaccine that will increase as more supply comes in to the Suncoast.
Sarasota DOH provides update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution
The Department of Health in Sarasota is updating the public on the number of vaccines distributed to seniors age 65 and older.
Governor announces the expansion of COVID vaccine distribution to Walmart stores in state
The Governor announced on Tuesday that more than 100 Walmart stores will begin to provide the COVID-19 vaccine across Florida. Initially the governor announced that Manatee County Walmarts were included in that number, but Walmart tells us Sarasota and Manatee County are not receiving the shots at t
Manatee County expecting to book 5,100 vaccine appointments this week
Manatee County will begin calling seniors ages 65 and older in the county’s standby pool for vaccine appointments this week.
Publix has yet to announce when they will house vaccines on the Suncoast
Pinellas and Pasco now can look toward Publix as a vaccine provider, but there is no immediate estimate for the Suncoast to share the same benefits.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s frontline workers readying to attend Super Bowl LV
Group of Sarasota Memorial healthcare workers get ready to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday at Raymond James.
Vaccines distributed to school district employees 65 years or older on the Suncoast
More than 700 people 65 and older at school districts across the Suncoast got vaccinated
More than a hundred Manatee County School District employees 65 and older get vaccinated
Manatee County school district employees 65 and older get vaccinated
Second COVID-19 dose appointments in Sarasota County
Second dose appointment issues arise in Sarasota County. Leaders working together to mitigate issue and get everyone their appointment confirmation.
307,000 more doses of the COVID vaccine shipped to Florida
Vaccines for people 65 and older continue across the state
Florida Department of Health positivity rate doubles to 14.46%
The statewide COVID-19 positivity rate double to 14.46% statewide, with reported rates of 14.69% and 14.44% for Manatee and Sarasota Counties respectively.
Vaccine registration numbers now available in Sarasota
Sarasota County Government officials have announced that you can now determine where you are in the virtual vaccine line.
Florida Department of Health reports drop in statewide positivity rate
The statewide COVID-19 positivity rate dropped down to 7% statewide, with reported rates of 6.32% and 3.65% for Manatee and Sarasota Counties respectively.
Sarasota Square Mall chosen as new location for DOH-Sarasota COVID-19 vaccination clinic
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota (DOH-Sarasota) is moving their COVID-19 vaccine clinic location to Sarasota Square Mall.
DeSantis: All assisted living facility patients and staff will be offered COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the month
During a press conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis assured the crowd that by the end of January, the COVID-19 vaccine will
Manatee County officials announce more COVID-19 vaccine updates
Manatee County officials announced Monday that they would be distributing 4,500 more COVID-19 vaccinations.
Almost 1 million Florida seniors vaccinated, war hero gets first dose
World War II veteran and centenarian Henry Sayler received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This moment made national news Friday morning as Florida neared 1 million seniors vaccinated in the state.
Advocates ask Corcoran to delay English proficiency exam
As the organization overseeing the SAT test changes the exam’s format to relax requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a group advocating for students learning English in Florida is asking the state to delay a yearly assessment.
DOH-Sarasota releases update on new COVID-19 vaccine registration system
The Department of Health in Sarasota has released an update after launching its new registration system for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Manatee County Public Safety to start scheduling vaccine second-dose appointments today
Manatee County Public Safety officials announced the process by which they will schedule second dose appointments for thousands of local seniors who have already received a first dose.
New Sarasota County vaccine registration system and call center launch for people 65 and older
A new way to register and secure your spot in line for a COVID-19 vaccination in Sarasota County launches at noon.
Manatee County receives 3,000 more COVID-19 vaccines
Manatee County 311 callers will begin randomly selecting names within Manatee County’s Vaccination Standby Pool to book vaccination appointments.
IHME model shows COVID-19 currently hitting its peak
COVID-19 making its name heard one final time
One-thousand vaccinated at Tom Bennett park in Manatee County Thursday
It was a ten-hour workday for Manatee County health care workers and county officials, overseeing the vaccination of 1,000 people Thursday.
DOH Dashboard update shows significant drop in positivity rate in the Suncoast
Thursday’s COVID-19 Dashboard update shows a significant drop in the positivity rates of both Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
DeSantis: Booster shots necessary for both Pfizer, Moderna vaccines
Governor Ron DeSantis released a statement addressing distribution concerns regarding booster vaccines.
School districts on the Suncoast continuing emergency paid COVID leave for employees, to a degree
Local school districts have had to figure out backup plans after the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act requiring them to cover COVID leave for employees exposed to the virus has now come to an end.
Sarasota County provides update on COVID-19 vaccine totals
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County has released its most recent information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution.
Manatee County prepares to vaccinate more seniors on Thursday
Manatee county 311 callers will be reaching out to seniors today.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital distributes 3,000 COVID-19 vaccines during weekend event
Sarasota Memorial Hospital saved enough doses for their health care workers and with the need they saw in the community decided to distribute the rest.
Sarasota County Government provides update on vaccine distribution
The Sarasota County Government has provided an update regarding vaccine distribution within the county.
Suncoast teachers association express discontent for Governor’s decision on priority for vaccine
A timeline for when teachers and school staff will get a vaccine is still not determined.
The COVID-19 vaccine being made available for veterans by VA
COVID vaccine rolling out at VA clinics and St.Petersburg hospital.
More doses of COVID vaccine arrive to Suncoast, many frustrated with appointment system
Doses of the COVID vaccine trickle into the Suncoast. The demand is great and many are upset with their inability to land an appointment.
Bennett Park new home for COVID-19 vaccination site in Manatee County
Manatee County closes Bennett Park to public temporarily to house a COVID-19 vaccination site
First babies of 2021 are born in Manatee County and Sarasota County
Congratulations are in order for two happy families on the Suncoast.
Florida Department of Health confirms Florida has evidence of first identified case of UK COVID-19 variant
Florida Department of Health confirms first case of COVID-19 variant in the state
Florida COVID-19 positivity rate goes back down to 8.72%
After an extremely high spike on Monday, the state COVID-19 positivity rate is back down to 8,72%.
DeSantis extends State of Emergency for COVID-19
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he will extend the state of emergency in Florida for another 60 days.
State-run testing sites closed on Jan. 1
All state-run COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on the New Year’s Day and will reopen Jan 2.
ABC7’s Linda Carson gets vaccinated, on first day for seniors along the Suncoast
ABC7′s Linda Carson gets vaccinated on day one of vaccinations for seniors along the Suncoast
Free COVID-19 Antibody Test at Bobby Jones Golf Club
Free covid-19 antibody test and blood drive on Monday, January 4th, 2021.
Venice Regional added to the list of hospitals administering COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines makes it to Venice Regional.
COVID-19 vaccine scheduled to roll out for the elderly in Manatee County today
Manatee County Government representatives announced on Monday night a vaccine site for people 65-years-old and over is scheduled to open on Wednesday.
Florida Department of Health releases its Monday COVID-19 dashboard update
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 1,280,177 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began back in March.
COVID-19 hospitalizations spike over 6,000
With steady increases in recent months, more than 6,000 people were hospitalized Monday in Florida with “primary” diagnoses of COVID-19, according to information posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website.
FDOH reports 17,042 new cases in Florida on Saturday’s COVID-19 dashboard
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 12,853 new cases of COVID-19 and a 7.84% positivity rate on its Thursday COVID-19 dashboard update.