Florida News that impacts you – January 5th, 2021
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis announced an updated rollout plan for vaccinations statewide stating that “added layers are needed to the state’s vaccination strategy”. The state’s emergency management arm will identify and convert state operated COVID-19 test sites into vaccination centers. As part of an extended strategy DeSantis said the state is also looking towards other facilities which have the scale to deliver a vaccination protocol including houses of worship. DeSantis made all residents over 65 along with frontline healthcare workers first priorities, a total of more than 4 million people. That equals the total number of vaccinations administered nationwide through last week.
- With over 11,000 new diagnosed COVID-19 cases on Monday, the weekly average trend for daily cases has reached a new high in Florida as we’re pacing more than 13,300 daily cases over the past week. According to the CDC’s most recent flu map, the spread of the traditional flu remains minimal in our state and most of the country.
- The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced extended unemployment benefits made available through the recently passed federal stimulus program are now available for eligible Floridians. Those who may be eligible are encouraged to visit their account on the CONNECT website every 48 hours to see if there are any additional steps required in order for them to receive the extended benefits. The additional payments can total up to $300 per week through March 13th.
- The cause of sudden flight delays and cancelations at MIA, FLL and PBI on Monday were the result of an air traffic control employee in Jacksonville testing positive for COVID-19. The FAA temporarily shut down operations at the Jacksonville site around the infected employee for deep cleaning.
Photo Credit: Leslye Gale