WEATHER ALERT
Health alert: Blue-green algae found in part of St. Johns River
Read full article: Health alert: Blue-green algae found in part of St. Johns RiverThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County (FDOH) has issued a health alert for harmful blue-green algae toxins found in St. Johns River near Mandarin Point.
‘It’s the First Amendment, stupid’: Federal judge blocks state from threatening TV stations over Amendment 4 ad
Read full article: ‘It’s the First Amendment, stupid’: Federal judge blocks state from threatening TV stations over Amendment 4 adThe Florida Department of Health is barred from going after local television stations for airing a pro abortion rights ad.
Florida Department of Health notifies those affected by hack, shares resources available
Read full article: Florida Department of Health notifies those affected by hack, shares resources availableThe Florida Department of Health is sending out notices to people whose personal information was stolen and released by hackers in June.
Data of HIV patients among information released in cyberattack against Florida Department of Health: report
Read full article: Data of HIV patients among information released in cyberattack against Florida Department of Health: reportAn internet hacker group claims it released sensitive Florida Department of Health data,
I-TEAM: Ransomware gang publishes stolen Florida Dept. of Health data on dark web
Read full article: I-TEAM: Ransomware gang publishes stolen Florida Dept. of Health data on dark webThe Ransomware gang that’s taking responsibility for hacking the Florida Department of Health now claims it’s published the stolen data on the dark web. This, after they say the DOH missed a Friday deadline to pay the ransom.
Florida Department of Health cyberattack has caused problems for funeral homes
Read full article: Florida Department of Health cyberattack has caused problems for funeral homesOne of the most important documents for families after a loved one has died is now one of the most transported documents in the state. Death certificates are now being physically driven to health departments for processing.
Duval County health officials host first-ever ‘Revive Awareness Day’ to educate community on opioid overdose prevention
Read full article: Duval County health officials host first-ever ‘Revive Awareness Day’ to educate community on opioid overdose preventionThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County hosted its first-ever Revive Awareness Day event Thursday, a day meant to educate people about the dangers of opioid overdoses, how to safely use naloxone, and share resources available to support people with substance use disorder.
Rabid cat on Jacksonville’s Westside triggers rabies alert until Aug. 1
Read full article: Rabid cat on Jacksonville’s Westside triggers rabies alert until Aug. 1The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) on Thursday issued a rabies alert for the Westside area of Duval County after a rabid cat was found in the area. The alert is in effect through Aug. 1.
After Jacksonville rabies alert, some take issue with Department of Health’s suggestion to remove stray cats
Read full article: After Jacksonville rabies alert, some take issue with Department of Health’s suggestion to remove stray catsAfter the Florida Department of Health issued a rabies alert for people living near UNF and the St. Johns Town Center Mall on Thursday, News4JAX started getting calls and emails from members of the stray cat-caring community.
Rabid cat triggers health alert for Town Center/UNF area
Read full article: Rabid cat triggers health alert for Town Center/UNF areaThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County issued a rabies alert Thursday, following the discovery of a rabid cat in the Town Center and UNF area of Jacksonville’s Southside.
Dozens of new and expectant parents enjoy first-ever ‘Community Baby Shower’ in Jacksonville
Read full article: Dozens of new and expectant parents enjoy first-ever ‘Community Baby Shower’ in JacksonvilleDozens of new and expectant parents attended the first-ever Community Baby Shower in Jacksonville Friday hosted by the Florida Department of Health in Duval County.
New and expectant parents to receive free baby items during Jacksonville event Friday
Read full article: New and expectant parents to receive free baby items during Jacksonville event FridaySeveral outside organizations will also be participating, including Wolfson Children’s Hospitals, UF Health, American Heart Association, Poison Control and more.
Proposed bill would create free swimming lesson program for low-income Florida families
Read full article: Proposed bill would create free swimming lesson program for low-income Florida familiesThe State of Florida may soon be taking a brand-new approach toward preventing the drowning deaths of children.
LIST: Back-to-school events in Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia
Read full article: LIST: Back-to-school events in Northeast Florida, Southeast GeorgiaTo ensure students are prepared to start the school year on the right foot, volunteers, organizations and others have organized backpack giveaways and free school supply events.
Jacksonville nurse accused of sending naked pictures, video from patient’s phone to himself
Read full article: Jacksonville nurse accused of sending naked pictures, video from patient’s phone to himselfA nurse who worked at Baptist South is accused of taking a patient’s phone and sending nude pictures and videos stored on the phone to himself, according to an arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Duval schools youth risk behavior survey terminated by state
Read full article: Duval schools youth risk behavior survey terminated by stateThe Commissioner of Education sent a letter to the Duval Schools’ Superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene, “strongly urging” that the district needs to end its participation in a CDC youth-risk behavior survey (YRBS) and instead participate in a new one developed by the state.
Epidemiologist says it’s ‘extremely challenging’ to paint a full picture of COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Epidemiologist says it’s ‘extremely challenging’ to paint a full picture of COVID-19 casesAs COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the county, there’s concern among health officials about how to accurately determine how fast the latest variant is spreading.
St. Johns County emergency management and health officials want residents to have storm plan
Read full article: St. Johns County emergency management and health officials want residents to have storm planSt. Johns County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County are monitoring Tropical Depression 9.
No cost back-to-school immunization event begins for students entering preschool, grades K-12
Read full article: No cost back-to-school immunization event begins for students entering preschool, grades K-12The Florida Department of Health is hosting a free vaccine drive at the Clay County fairgrounds starting Monday.
Local doctor frustrated over lack of monkeypox prevention
Read full article: Local doctor frustrated over lack of monkeypox preventionJust two days after the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency, there’s growing frustration among local healthcare professionals that enough is not being done to prevent a widespread outbreak.
Federal agencies helping Florida investigate listeria outbreak linked to ice cream
Read full article: Federal agencies helping Florida investigate listeria outbreak linked to ice creamThe Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is helping the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigate a listeria outbreak linked to ice cream, the FDA said Tuesday.
Health department issues blue-green algae bloom health alert for Doctors Lake at Camp Echockotee
Read full article: Health department issues blue-green algae bloom health alert for Doctors Lake at Camp EchockoteeAccording to the Florida Department of Health in Clay County, people should be cautious in and around Doctors Lake at Camp Echockotee, near Lucy Branch and at the end of Lawrence Road.
Florida only state not to preorder COVID-19 vaccines for young children ahead of expected federal approval
Read full article: Florida only state not to preorder COVID-19 vaccines for young children ahead of expected federal approvalFlorida is the only state that hasn’t preordered COVID-19 vaccines for young children. It missed a Tuesday deadline to order the shots, according to a report from the Miami Herald.
Health officials issue algae bloom alert for Doctor’s Lake - Mill Cove
Read full article: Health officials issue algae bloom alert for Doctor’s Lake - Mill CoveThe Florida Department of Health has issued a health alert for Doctor's Lake - Mill Cove due to harmful blue-green algal toxins found in the water.
Florida health department releases guidance on ‘treating gender dysphoria’ in transgender youths
Read full article: Florida health department releases guidance on ‘treating gender dysphoria’ in transgender youthsThe Florida Department of Health on Wednesday released guidance regarding the treatment of gender dysphoria for children and adolescents.
DCPS announces more COVID-19 vaccination clinics
Read full article: DCPS announces more COVID-19 vaccination clinicsMore COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held through Duval County Public Schools’ partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County and Health Hero Florida, the school district said.
DeSantis blasts Biden administration, vows to ‘fight back’ after FDA halts use of Regeneron
Read full article: DeSantis blasts Biden administration, vows to ‘fight back’ after FDA halts use of RegeneronGov. Ron DeSantis, who heavily promoted the use of Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment as a part of his administration’s COVID-19 response, sharply criticized the Biden administration on Tuesday after the Food and Drug Administration announced it had revoked the treatment’s emergency use authorization.
Florida shuts down monoclonal sites after FDA halts use of Regeneron treatment
Read full article: Florida shuts down monoclonal sites after FDA halts use of Regeneron treatmentThe Florida Department of Health is shutting down all state-run monoclonal antibody treatment sites until further notice after the Food and Drug Administration revoked its emergency use authorization for Regeneron.
School families grapple with soaring COVID cases, suspended contact tracing
Read full article: School families grapple with soaring COVID cases, suspended contact tracingWhen the Florida Department of Health opted to suspend contact tracing in Duval County Public Schools Friday, it left families concerned about the rapid spread of COVID-19′s omicron variant confused — and wondering how to surveil a disease that can be transferred between asymptomatic patients.
New Regeneron treatment site opens on Jacksonville’s Southside
Read full article: New Regeneron treatment site opens on Jacksonville’s SouthsidePatients interested in receiving monoclonal antibodies were ready and waiting Tuesday morning outside a new treatment center on Jacksonville’s Southside before the doors even opened at 9 a.m.
Duval County health department warns of another COVID surge due to omicron
Read full article: Duval County health department warns of another COVID surge due to omicronThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County offered a warning on Thursday, saying to expect another surge of COVID-19 in the coming months because of the omicron variant.
Florida’s COVID-19 caseload more than doubles in weekly report
Read full article: Florida’s COVID-19 caseload more than doubles in weekly reportIn it’s weekly data report, the Florida Department of Health reported an additional 29,568 cases of COVID-19. That’s an increase of 16,087 from the 13,481 total cases reported by the state’s Health Department just a week ago.
DCPS to hold COVID-19 vaccination events Friday for children age 5 & older
Read full article: DCPS to hold COVID-19 vaccination events Friday for children age 5 & olderDuval County Public Schools is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County to hold a day of vaccination events for children age 5 and older on Friday.
DCPS to hold day of COVID-19 vaccination events for children age 5 & older
Read full article: DCPS to hold day of COVID-19 vaccination events for children age 5 & olderDuval County Public Schools on Thursday announced it is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County to hold a day of vaccination events for children age 5 and older.
City of Jacksonville offering COVID-19 booster shots
Read full article: City of Jacksonville offering COVID-19 booster shotsThe city of Jacksonville, in partnership with Agape Family Health and the Florida Department of Health in Duval County, on Thursday announced additional COVID-19 vaccination services at four city-funded locations.
Duval now a low transmission county for COVID-19, health officials say
Read full article: Duval now a low transmission county for COVID-19, health officials sayThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County said Monday morning the county is now considered to be a low transmission county as the number of cases continues to fall.
Duval schools mask mandate loosened after county meets COVID-19 thresholds
Read full article: Duval schools mask mandate loosened after county meets COVID-19 thresholdsAfter nearly two months in effect, the mask requirement within Duval County Public Schools was automatically suspended Friday when the COVID-19 community transmission data met the second of two key thresholds set by the school board.
Florida fines Leon County $3.5 million for mandating vaccines
Read full article: Florida fines Leon County $3.5 million for mandating vaccinesFlorida has issued its first fine to a county it says violated a new state law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates and for firing fired 14 workers who failed to get the shots.
Algae blooms in St. Johns River triggers new alert from health department
Read full article: Algae blooms in St. Johns River triggers new alert from health departmentThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County on Thursday issued another warning over the presence of harmful blue-green algae blooms in the St. Johns River.
State Board of Education eyes 11 school districts over mask policies
Read full article: State Board of Education eyes 11 school districts over mask policiesContinuing to pressure school districts over their handling of COVID-19, the State Board of Education has scheduled a meeting next week to look at whether 11 districts have complied with rules aimed at preventing student mask mandates.
Duval County Public Schools ends practice of shifting elementary classrooms online
Read full article: Duval County Public Schools ends practice of shifting elementary classrooms onlineDeclining numbers of COVID-19 cases in Duval County Public Schools combined with new quarantine direction from the Florida Department of Health has led the district to modify practices for elementary classroom closures.
Health officials warn of blue-green algae at 4 more sites in Jacksonville
Read full article: Health officials warn of blue-green algae at 4 more sites in JacksonvilleThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County issued a health alert Monday for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins at four new sites along the St. Johns River and its tributaries.
Florida revises COVID-19 rule for schools, gives parents authority over quarantines
Read full article: Florida revises COVID-19 rule for schools, gives parents authority over quarantinesPointing to a need to “minimize the amount of time students are removed from in-person learning,” the Florida Department of Health on Wednesday issued a revised rule that gives parents more authority to decide whether children go to school after being exposed to people who have COVID-19.
School districts challenge state mask rule
Read full article: School districts challenge state mask ruleIn a new front in the fight about mask mandates, three school boards are challenging a Florida Department of Health rule designed to prevent districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Could this St. Johns County school be the first to shut down due to COVID-19?
Read full article: Could this St. Johns County school be the first to shut down due to COVID-19?There are more than 40 schools in St. Johns County, but when it comes to the number of COVID-19 cases in classrooms, one school has more than the rest — Mill Creek Academy.
Did Florida change COVID-19 reporting to create ‘artificial decline’ in recent deaths?
Read full article: Did Florida change COVID-19 reporting to create ‘artificial decline’ in recent deaths?Following a report from the Miami Herald that the Florida Department of Health changed the way it reported death data to the CDC, giving the appearance of a pandemic in decline, Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back Wednesday, calling the story a “totally false partisan narrative.”
Records lawsuit targets state of Florida over COVID-19 data
Read full article: Records lawsuit targets state of Florida over COVID-19 dataA Democratic state lawmaker and a non-profit group have filed a lawsuit alleging the Florida Department of Health has violated public-records laws by refusing to provide detailed data about the COVID-19 pandemic.
DCPS pivots away from contact tracing for elementary schools
Read full article: DCPS pivots away from contact tracing for elementary schoolsSaying health officials cannot keep up with contact tracing, Duval County Public Schools announced Friday it’s pivoting to a new way to inform parents about cases of COVID-19 in elementary schools.
How many COVID-19 cases does it take to close a Duval County school?
Read full article: How many COVID-19 cases does it take to close a Duval County school?Over the first fours days of the 2021-2022 school year in Duval County, the number of positive COVID-19 cases listed on the district’s online tracking dashboard grew at a nearly exponential rate.
Florida’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise with 13% jump in last week
Read full article: Florida’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise with 13% jump in last weekThe Florida Department of Health on Friday released its weekly COVID-19 data report showing an eighth consecutive week with an increase in new infections and positivity rate.
Duval County health department staff: Wait 10 days after positive COVID-19 test before getting retested
Read full article: Duval County health department staff: Wait 10 days after positive COVID-19 test before getting retestedThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County is asking those who’ve recently tested positive for the coronavirus to wait 10 days before getting retested.
Doctors urge up-to-date immunizations ahead of new school year
Read full article: Doctors urge up-to-date immunizations ahead of new school yearWith many Northeast Florida students returning to the classroom in the coming days, health officials want to remind parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date on all of their immunizations.
Agape Health working with city to open additional COVID-19 testing sites in Jacksonville
Read full article: Agape Health working with city to open additional COVID-19 testing sites in JacksonvilleOne group offering COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville is working to open additional locations as early as next week.
Officials issue health alert over blue-green algae in St. Johns River
Read full article: Officials issue health alert over blue-green algae in St. Johns RiverThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County on Monday warned residents about the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the St Johns River, particularly around Mandarin Point.
Duval health department explores expanding COVID-19 testing hours as long lines continue
Read full article: Duval health department explores expanding COVID-19 testing hours as long lines continueThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County is looking into expanding its COVID-19 testing hours as the demand for testing continues to rise in the city amid the latest spike in cases.
Jacksonville residents brave heat and long wait times for COVID-19 tests
Read full article: Jacksonville residents brave heat and long wait times for COVID-19 testsJacksonville residents lined up for hours outside the Department of Health’s Springfield facility Friday despite scorching temperatures, saying they had no choice: they need to get tested for COVID-19.
Duval County health department to offer walk-in COVID-19 shots at Central Health Plaza
Read full article: Duval County health department to offer walk-in COVID-19 shots at Central Health PlazaThe Florida Department of Health in Duval County will be offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations at its Central Health Plaza, starting Tuesday.
Hours-long wait greets those wanting COVID-19 tests in Jacksonville
Read full article: Hours-long wait greets those wanting COVID-19 tests in JacksonvilleThe Florida Department of Health -- Duval County said it’s seeing up to 400 people per day wanting to be tested at its Central Health Plaza in Springfield.
With COVID-19 cases spiking, demand for tests skyrockets
Read full article: With COVID-19 cases spiking, demand for tests skyrocketsPeople are lining up around the Florida Department of Health's Duval County office to get tested for COVID-19 Officials said 300-400 people per day are flocking to the Jacksonville facility for a free test.
As cases of Delta variant rise in Jacksonville, there are fewer places to get tested
Read full article: As cases of Delta variant rise in Jacksonville, there are fewer places to get testedWith an increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 connected to the rise of the Delta variant, there is also an increase in the number of people who want to be tested.
Delta variant cases reported in Jacksonville as hospitals see rise in COVID-19 patients
Read full article: Delta variant cases reported in Jacksonville as hospitals see rise in COVID-19 patientsJacksonville hospitals are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, with the number of patients at some facilities doubling in the last two weeks.
Gov. DeSantis nixes daily COVID-19 reports
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis nixes daily COVID-19 reportsThe Florida Department of Health plans to cease the daily COVID-19 reports that have been used by the media and the public to track changes in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the state.
Fired Florida employee receives whistleblower status
Read full article: Fired Florida employee receives whistleblower statusA former Florida Department of Health employee is getting whistleblower status a year after being fired for repeatedly violating the agency’s policy about communicating with the media.
Florida phasing out 5 state-run vaccination sites in Jacksonville
Read full article: Florida phasing out 5 state-run vaccination sites in JacksonvilleWith over 10 million Floridians now vaccinated against COVID-19, six state-run vaccination sites in Jacksonville will be phased out beginning in mid-June.
Duval schools to ditch mask mandate, Duval HomeRoom and desk shields this fall
Read full article: Duval schools to ditch mask mandate, Duval HomeRoom and desk shields this fallAfter getting feedback from community stakeholders and the Florida Department of Health, Duval County Public Schools is ending its mask mandate for students and pulling back on other coronavirus protocols for the 2021-22 school year.
Duval County tops 100K COVID-19 cases as Florida passes 10M vaccinated
Read full article: Duval County tops 100K COVID-19 cases as Florida passes 10M vaccinatedJacksonville on Sunday surpassed 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as Florida reported more than 10 million people in the state have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Nassau County health department offering walk-in COVID vaccinations on Wednesdays
Read full article: Nassau County health department offering walk-in COVID vaccinations on WednesdaysThe Florida Department of Health in Nassau County is now offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesdays, according to Nassau County Emergency Management.