Death toll from COVID-19 in Florida rises

South Florida COVID-19 Testing Site — Courtesy: Shutterstock — YES Market Media According to data on the state Department of Health website, 3,162 Florida resident deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 this year, and the death toll is still rising. There were more deaths than there had been in early June (2,740) and early July

An outbreak of measles at a Florida elementary school has confirmed six cases

Measles virus. Mother holding tiny baby foot with red rash, closeup – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Prostock-studio A measles epidemic at the Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida, has resulted in six cases of the disease. In a letter sent to nearby medical professionals on Friday, the Florida Department of Health in Broward

Three years’ worth of COVID data must be made public by Florida’s health officials

COVID-19 Vaccine Card – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by vovidzha A government watchdog organization declared Monday that the Florida Department of Health was required, as part of a settlement, to reveal three years’ worth of comprehensive COVID-19 data. The Florida Department of Health is required to provide COVID data on its website for the following

A recent poll reveals Florida voters’ opinions on marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes

Medical Marijuana Being Prescribed by Doctor – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Africa Studio A recent poll provides insight into how voters feel about marijuana use, both medically and recreationally. According to the findings of this latest survey, legalizing recreational marijuana on the ballot in 2016 might prove challenging. More than 840,000 Florida residents currently

Florida Publix cites company policy as bakery refuses to write “Trans” on a cake

Publix Bakery – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Mahmoud Suhail The grocery retailer Publix has apologized to an LGBTQ+ customer after an assistant at a Florida store declined to prepare a cake with the word “trans” written on it. Yasmin Flasterstein is the director of Peer Support Space, which helps people in Central Florida who

Recreational marijuana proposal in Florida clears its first hurdle

Large marijuana grow operation – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Canna Obscura Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana for recreational use have cleared a first obstacle to appear on the ballot in 2024 by submitting a sufficient number of petition signatures to warrant a review of the proposal by the Florida

Oysters sold at Publix and other Florida retailers are associated with a widespread norovirus outbreak

Oysters – Courtesy: Image by Plateresca from Shutterstock A recent norovirus outbreak related to raw oysters sold in Florida and seven other states is being looked into, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Thursday, 211 norovirus cases had been reported in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and

The Sunshine State prepares to issue 22 additional medical marijuana licenses

Medical marijuana – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by BestStockFoto The state’s health authorities finally moved to grant up to 22 more medical marijuana licenses on Monday after years of delay, which could double the size of Florida’s marijuana sector. Additionally, the state Department of Health released an emergency rule that would significantly increase the cost

Florida proceeds with sex reassignment surgery and puberty blocker ban for minors

Puberty Blockers and Sex Reassignment Surgery – Person with Transgender Flag Painted On It – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by nito Last week, a joint committee of the Sunshine State’s two medical boards voted last week to draft a rule that would ban gender dysphoria treatments and puberty blockers for minors across the state. The

Make safe, healthy choices to have a spooktacular Halloween weekend

Child Trick-or-Treating on Halloween – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Yuganov Konstantin West Central, Fl. – The Florida Department of Health in West Central Florida is prioritizing reminding visitors and residents to make healthy and safe choices this Halloween weekend. Halloween can be an incredibly fun holiday for both children and adults, however, it is