Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s open to allowing hospitals to once again provide non-essential services

DeSantis said he wanted to move quickly to help bolster hospitals, which have been losing money during a clampdown on optional surgeries.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida April 22, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his task force to restart the economy, but excluded Nikki Fried

Fried says that her omission from the task force is “sadly more of the same politics over state from the governor.”

by Christine Sexton and Jim Turner April 21, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida Democrats push for health care overall amid coronavirus pandemic

Before the pandemic, Fried said, 800,000 Floridians were in the so-called coverage gap.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida April 9, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Over the past week, coronavirus cases have quadrupled in Florida’s assisted living facilities

Despite the increases, state health officials won’t say whether there is “community spread.”

by Christine Sexton April 8, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

As revenues dive, Florida hospitals are asking Gov. DeSantis for more Medicaid funds

Hospitals want DeSantis to use a portion of the $1.6 billion in increased federal Medicaid funds to reimburse them for treating COVID-19 patients.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida April 7, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Preventing ‘community spread’ of coronavirus in Florida’s long-term care sites now a top concern

The spread of the virus in long-term care facilities is a concern nationwide but perhaps nowhere more than Florida.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida April 3, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

AARP calls on Florida to disclose locations of coronavirus-infected long-term care facilities

An estimated 20.5 percent of Florida residents are 65 or older.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 31, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

DeSantis says 40 people tested positive for coronavirus at Florida’s long-term care facilities, but not much else

Of the 40 coronavirus cases in long-term care facilities as of Wednesday evening, 16 were in Broward County, according to the state data.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 26, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Gov. Ron DeSantis to Florida seniors: Stay home

The governor also said he would expand guidance about banning large gatherings.

by Christine Sexton March 25, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

DeSantis ‘reckons’ flights from New York have coronavirus carriers, issues crackdown on out-of-state travelers

DeSantis’ announcement came as criticism about Florida’s response to COVID-19 mounts, along with the numbers of infected residents and deaths.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 24, 2020April 14, 2025

News & Views

The University of Florida is conducting coronavirus research on residents of The Villages

COVID-19 can be deadly to seniors and people with underlying medical issues.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 23, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida House leader José Oliva goes from calling hospitals ‘robber barons’ to praising them

Rolling the clock back to January, Oliva lambasted hospitals and others as modern-day “robber barons.”

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 22, 2020June 29, 2025

News & Views

Florida residents at 19 long-term care facilities across have or are suspected of having coronavirus

Florida is not testing residents of long-term care facilities as a precautionary measure.

by Christine Sexton March 19, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida will launch $50 million loan program to help businesses impacted by coronavirus

The interest-free loans can be up to $50,000.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 17, 2020March 19, 2024

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis plans to roll out drive-through coronavirus testing

DeSantis also said the state would follow the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on eating at restaurants.

by Christine Sexton March 16, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis orders nursing homes to limit visitors during coronavirus pandemic

“These are important efforts to mitigate the risk to our most vulnerable population to COVID-19…”

by Christine Sexton March 12, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida has eight new cases of coronavirus, and three were from Tampa Bay

The Florida Department of Health late Tuesday announced eight new positive cases of the novel coronavirus.

by News Service of Florida and Christine Sexton March 11, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency in response to coronavirus

DeSantis also said two laboratory companies are now prepared to process coronavirus test kits.

by Christine Sexton March 10, 2020March 30, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis says four Florida residents have now tested positive for coronavirus, feds sending ‘tens of thousands’ tests

One of the new cases involves a 72-year-old Santa Rosa County man with underlying medical conditions.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida March 5, 2020August 17, 2023

News & Views

As 3rd coronavirus emerges in Florida, lawmakers consider spending more state money

“I think initially we’re talking about $10 (million) to $20 million,” Galvano said. “Until we really know what we’re looking at, the number is still in play.”

by Christine Sexton March 4, 2020August 17, 2023

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