Florida Department of Health
State health officials reported 7,087 new COVID-19 cases, Wednesday, for a total of 1,885,661 infections. The Florida Department of Health also reported 127 coronavirus-related deaths, Feb. 24, increasing the statewide death toll to 30,878 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.
The latest single-day positivity rate reported by the Florida Division of Emergency Management stood at 7.55% on Tuesday. Over the past two weeks the single-day positivity rate has ranged between 7.44% and 9.62%.
The Agency for Health Care Administration reports that as of this morning the number of patients admitted to hospitals throughout the state with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 has dropped to 4,073. Hospitals in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties combined have a total of 270 admitted patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Franklin Cochran, 78, was one of more than 250 seniors vaccinated at a pop-up clinic in north Sarasota last Sunday. He said he was grateful for the opportunity to get his shot close to home.
Only about 1 percent of people vaccinated in Sarasota County are Black. Advocates say the distribution process puts underserved communities at a disadvantage. They re fighting to change that.
Franklin Cochran, 78, sat with his walker outside Light of the World International Church in Sarasota just days after getting hip surgery.
For a few hours last Sunday, the house of worship served a different purpose: a place to vaccinate more than 250 seniors of color against COVID-19.
Sarasota Advocates Push To Get COVID-19 Vaccines To People Of Color usf.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from usf.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Funds will also support the economic recovery of local arts organizations.
“Addressing the systemic issues that impact generations of families requires sustained focus and effort,” Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of the Barancik Foundation, said in a news release. “We are optimistic that the investment of these resources will lead to a brighter, more resilient community.”
The earlier the investment, the greater the return is the Barancik Foundation’s philosophy on the life-changing importance of investing in early childhood development and education.
Grants approved by the foundation board at a recent meeting totaling just over $1 million have been awarded to boost efforts to support infant and early childhood services.
SARASOTA – Going against the urging of four medical doctors and other local health experts, the majority of Sarasota city commissioners have agreed to eliminate the city’s mandatory mask ordinance.
The mandate for face coverings in public, put in place last July, was largely rendered symbolic in September after Gov. Ron DeSantis cut local governments’ ability to enforce it.
Those in the majority on the City Commission felt that masks were too “burdensome” for residents and businesses, and because the city could not punish those who did not comply, what was the point in keeping the mandate in place? Besides, people are just going to do what they want, they contended.