Florida could see an alarming doctor shortage by 2035

Doctor-Patient Discussing — Courtesy: Shutterstock — S_L The coronavirus pandemic has caused supply chain issues and shortages, and the medical field is no exception.  Even though Florida’s coast population continues to grow, the Florida Hospital Association reports a significant shortage of primary care physicians by 2035. The growing population paired with retirement projections show that

South Florida has passed the peak of the omicron surge

South Florida Omicron Testing Site — Courtesy: Shutterstock — YES Market Media HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — According to experts, the height of the COVID-19 omicron variant surge may be behind us in South Florida.  “In Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, hospitals have already experienced their peak,” Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said

Supreme Court halts vaccine mandate for businesses, upholds mandate for health care workers

United States Supreme Court building — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steven Frame On Thursday, the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration from enforcing its vaccine-or-test requirements for large private companies but allowed a vaccine mandate to remain for medical facilities that take Medicaid or Medicare payments. The rulings come three days after the Occupational Safety and

Up to 1 million COVID-19 rapid test kits found expired in Florida warehouse

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Test: Courtesy — Image by: Abbott Between 800,000 and 1 million COVID-19 rapid test kits were left to expire inside a Florida warehouse amid a nationwide shortage caused by the winter surge of coronavirus cases. Like many other Americans, Floridians have faced extremely long waits at testing sites for weeks, making the

Thousands of teachers & students absent amid Omicron surge

FL schools dealing with Omicron outbreak — Courtesy: Shutterstock — FamVeld Schools in Florida are reporting loads of absences among students and teachers this week, a sign that the highly transmissible Omicron variant is already interrupting the new semester. With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing throughout the Sunshine State, Gov. Ron DeSantis has pledged to keep schools

After a 13-day hiatus, the Florida Panthers ready to get back on the ice

FLA Live Florida Panthers Arena — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: YES Market Media SUNRISE, Fl. — After a 13-day pause due to the COVID-19 omicron outbreak, the NHL and Florida Panthers are ready to hop back on the ice. The Cats have been practicing for the last three days and their team is basically

Dozens of flights canceled in South Florida, leaving plenty of travelers stranded

COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Affect Flights — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Dima Berlin Major airlines have canceled hundreds of flights across the country as the omicron variant has jumbled schedules and drew down staffing levels during the busy holiday season. Dozens of flights were canceled on Saturday morning at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Spike in COVID-19 cases causes closures, cancellations, and long lines throughout South Florida

COVID-19 Testing — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: zstock As several South Florida counties reach a “high” risk level for COVID-19 transmission, residents are experiencing extremely long testing lines, store closures, and event cancellations. With the holidays & Christmas approaching quickly, testing sites are experiencing exceptionally long lines. Tropical Park, a 24/7 PCR testing and

Omicron Update: Tampa hospital first to report patient with new COVID-19 variant

Omicron — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Andrii Vodolazhskyi TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay hospital announced its first confirmed COVID-19 omicron variant case on Tuesday. A spokesperson for James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa confirmed the omicron case in a statement. “The patient is experiencing mild symptoms and had recently returned from international

Florida’s largest school districts ease up on masks

Running at School – Face Mask: Shutterstock — Monkey Business Images ORLANDO, Fla. — Two of Florida’s largest school districts are easing up on mask requirements this week. Beginning Monday, Orange County students will not be required to wear a face mask if their parents provide a note opting them out. High school students in