FL COVID News: 1K Deaths In A Week, School Vouchers For Bullying

FLORIDA — COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Florida with 151,415 new cases reported Aug. 6-12, according to the latest COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report from the Florida Department of Health.

During that period, the new case positivity rate was 19.3 percent and the state saw 1,071 deaths from coronavirus, according to state data.

Hospitalizations have increased significantly as well. The Florida Hospital Association reported 15,441 COVID-19 related hospitalizations Friday. That’s 152 percent higher than Florida’s previous pandemic peak during the week of July 23, 2020, FHA said.

As COVID-19 cases surge in Florida, here are some Patch headlines you might have missed this week:

To Mask Or Not To Mask Kids: Here's What Pediatric Experts Say

It's one of the most acrimonious issues today facing parents, for whom the health and welfare of their children is of paramount importance: Should students wear a mask in school?

Anti-Vax South Florida Radio Host Dies From COVID-19: Report

Throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Florida right-wing radio host and Newsmax anchor Dick Farrel was an outspoken anti-vaxxer who publicly criticized the vaccine developed to slow the spread of the virus.

CDC Got COVID-19 Numbers Wrong, FL Department Of Health Tweets

The CDC reported more than 28,000 coronavirus cases each day last Saturday and Sunday. The Florida Department of Health said those numbers aren't accurate.

Parents To Get Vouchers To Switch Schools For COVID-19 Bullying

Parents who feel their students are being bullied for wearing face masks or declining to wear face masks at school this year will be able to apply for a voucher to move their students to another school on the basis of "COVID-19 harassment."

Catholic Schools Mask Mandate Ordered By Diocese Of Venice

Face masks will be required indoors at Catholic schools located in counties with a new COVID-19 case positivity rate of 10 percent or higher, Bishop Frank J. Dewane with the Diocese of Venice said in a letter sent to parents and guardians about its school reopening plan Thursday.

Miami Tight End Won't Let NFL 'Strong-Arm' Him On Vaccine: Report

After exposure to someone with COVID-19 landed unvaccinated Miami Dolphins tight end Adam Shaheen on the team's reserve list, he said he has no plans to get vaccinated and spoke out against the NFL's pressure on players to get inoculated against the virus.

Other COVID-19 News

• Manatee School Board Weighs Mask Mandate With Opt Out Provision
• Monroe County Public School District Goes Against DeSantis, Requires Masks
• Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Won't Be Influenced By DeSantis' 'Threat To Paycheck' Over Defying Mask Mandate Ban
• Field Trips, Volunteers, Visitors Suspended At Sarasota Schools
• Carnival Vista Crew Members, Passenger Test Positive For COVID
• Pinellas County Opens Free Coronavirus Testing Site
• Broward Teacher's Union President Anna Fusco Clarifies Number Of Teachers Who Recently Died From COVID
• South Florida Doctors: 'Children Admitted For COVID-19 Sicker Than We've Seen Before'
• Newly Opened Hillsborough COVID-19 Testing Sites See Long Lines
• CDC Reports 17.7 Percent Increase In COVID-19 In Pasco County
• Pinellas Sees Record Number Of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations
• Major Retailers Requiring Masks In Florida: See The List
• 'The Biggest Fear For Me Is The Infection Rates': Jackson Health CEO Carlos Migoya On Crush Of COVID Patients
• Free Coronavirus Testing Site Opened At Al Lopez Park In Tampa
• Pinellas To Give Out $20 Food Vouchers To Those Getting Vaccine
• Sarasota County Democratic Party Calls For School Mask Mandate
• Manatee Libraries Close Temporarily Due To COVID-19 Spread
• 2 Sarasota Hospitals Stop Allowing Visitors During COVID-19 Surge
• Mask-Only Classrooms A Possibility In Manatee County
• COVID-19 Testing Site Reopens At Bradenton Area Convention Center
• Manatee Co. Schools Re-Implement Some COVID-19 Procedures