COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data

As of January 15, there have been 1,531,192 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 24,459 in Collier County, 3,698 in Hendry County and 45,538 in Lee County.  

As of Thursday, January 14, the state's positivity rate for new cases is 8.61%.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.

For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your local County Health Department.   

Florida Senate Convenes Ahead of 2021 Legislative Session with New COVID-19 Safety Protocols in Place

Senators made their way to the Florida Capitol for the first week of committee meetings ahead of the 2021 Legislative Session.  While committee agendas were full with presentations highlighting issues facing Florida and Senators heard updates on the implementation of new laws, the Senate proceeded with care and caution, observing social distancing guidelines and limiting in-person meetings.  COVID-19 testing was required for all Senators and authorized staff, as well as the media.

In order to provide members of the public the opportunity to view meetings and virtually address Senate committees in a safe, socially distant manner, remote committee viewing and public testimony was held at the Leon County Civic Center.  Senators discussed issues ranging from the economy to COVID-19 mitigation to protecting vulnerable populations.  The 2021 Legislative Session begins March 2.

Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Executive Order on COVID-19 Vaccines

On December 23, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-315 to provide guidelines for vaccine administration in Florida. 

In the first-phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older; and
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

The Department of Health issues a daily COVID-19 vaccine report.  As of Thursday, January 14, 774,768 individuals have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida. 

For more information, visit the DOH website.  The Collier County DOH is offering FAQs on the vaccine.

State Action on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Florida was the first state in the nation to begin offering vaccines to staff and residents to more than 4,000 long-term care facilities and was also the first state in the nation to begin offering vaccines to EMTs and paramedics.

Florida is also now the first state in the nation to mobilize county health departments and county emergency managers to actively vaccinate seniors 65 and older in the community.

New actions to continue Florida’s proactive approach to vaccinations include:

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) is working with the Florida Department of Health to identify state-run COVID-19 testing sites that can convert into vaccine sites.
• Florida DEM is hiring 1,000 contract nurses to support vaccination efforts.  They will be deployed throughout the entire state. 
• The Florida DEM will also assume additional responsibilities regarding the administration of vaccines in more than 3,000 assisted living facilities across the state, supplementing and accelerating the efforts being undertaken by CVS and Walgreens, pursuant to their agreement with the federal government.
• Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a state partnership with Publix Supermarkets to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites through a new pilot program at 22 of their stores in Marion, Hernando and Citrus counties.
• In the last three weeks, doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been distributed to 226 hospital locations.  The list of hospitals that have received vaccine allocations is available here.
• More than 60 vaccination sites have been opened statewide in partnership with local communities and hospitals.  Find the full list here.

Receive Text Alerts on Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

You can sign up to receive state alerts regarding vaccine distribution directly to your phone by texting FLCOVID19 to 888777.

Select Collier County Publix Locations to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine

Sixteen Publix Pharmacy locations in Collier County will begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine this week to people 65 and older, while supplies last.

The stores are offering the Moderna vaccine. Appointments are required. You may view locations and schedule your appointment online. Visit Publix's vaccine website here.

The following Collier County locations will offer the vaccine:

• Marco Town Center 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island
• Shoppes at Hammock Cove 4370 Thomasson Drive, Naples
• Berkshire Commons 7101 Radio Road, Naples
• Riverchase Shopping Center 11200 Tamiami Trail North, Naples
• Crossroads Market Shopping Center 5991 Pine Ridge Road, Naples
• Pine Ridge Crossing Shopping Center 2310 Pine Ridge Road, Naples
• Freedom Square 12663 Tamiami Trail E., Naples
• Pelican Strand 5624 Strand Blvd., Naples
• Naples Walk 2450 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples
• The Shoppes at Pebblebrook 15265 Collier Blvd, Naples
• Naples Lakes Village Center 8585 Collier Blvd., Naples
• Brooks Village 12975 Collier Blvd., Naples
• Marketplace at Pelican Bay 8833 North Tamiami Trail, Naples
• Naples Plaza 1981 Tamiami Trail North, Naples
• Kings Lake Square 4860 Davis Blvd., Naples
• Neighborhood Shoppes at Orangetree 13550 Immokalee Road, Naples

CONSUMER ALERT: Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scams

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about COVID-19 vaccine scams that involve misleading webpages charging for vaccine appointments.  According to recent news reports, scammers used the popular event website Eventbrite to pose as county health departments and take or attempt to take payments in exchange for COVID-19 vaccine appointments.  Please note, NO county is charging for vaccine reservations.

Attorney General Moody recommends the following tips to help Floridians avoid COVID-19 vaccine-related scams:

• Know that anyone asking for money in exchange for an appointment is a scam;
• Check with county health departments for local vaccine distribution guidelines;
• Be wary of any website where pop-up ads solicit a vaccine appointment;
• Look for “https” or a padlock icon in the website name to ensure that you are on a secure website; and
• Report suspicious solicitations or COVID-19 vaccine-related advertisements to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

Coronavirus Impact on Florida’s Economy Examined in Committee​

As a member of the Committee on Appropriations, we're beginning to develop the state budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.  State economist Amy Baker, of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, provided us an update of the Long-Range Financial Outlook and Revenue Forecast.  The committee, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel, examined the pandemic’s impact on personal income for Floridians, unemployment, population growth, the housing market, sales tax and Florida’s general revenue.

Over the summer months, Florida experienced strong growth rates in sales tax revenue, documentary stamp tax revenue and tourism.  Unfortunately, Florida families and businesses are still facing hardships, which will result in a significant budget shortfall for the state in the next fiscal year.  However, Ms. Baker does predict many industries in Florida will quickly bounce back after vaccines are widely distributed, though Florida’s tourism industry may take longer to fully recover.

“This will be an unprecedented Appropriations Committee because our work is a daunting task,” Chair Stargel said.   “This is going to be the year we are going to have to figure out how to meet the needs of the people we serve with the limited resources we have.”

Committee Reviews Implementation of Sweeping Water Policy Reform​

During the 2020 Legislative Session, the Senate took action to improve Florida’s water quality and preserve our unique environment for generations to come.  Senate Bill 712: Environmental Resource Management, by Majority Leader Debbie Mayfield, was signed into law last year in order to stop excess pollution and restore our waterways.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Jason Brodeur, listened to an overview of the implementation of Senate Bill 712 from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services.  Both departments reported the state of Florida is on schedule to implement “The Clean Waterways Act,” which fights many sources of environmental pollution by transforming policy related to septic tanks, biosolids, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and agriculture.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations Remains a Priority in the Florida Senate

Safeguarding Florida’s children in foster care, victims of domestic violence, and senior citizens remains a top priority in the Florida Senate.  Senators in the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received updates from the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Elder Affairs and the Department of Revenue.

The committee discussed how to address breakdowns in the foster care system through legislative action in order to provide better care and protections for Florida’s most vulnerable children. 

Senators also reviewed the implementation of House Bill 1087, sponsored in the Senate by President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean, and signed into law last year.  This legislation ensures that taxpayer dollars dedicated to victims of domestic violence are protected from fraud and abuse, and survivors continue to receive services from state-certified domestic violence centers.

Senior Assistance During COVID-19

In the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, Secretary Richard Prudom of the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) testified this week on the agency's COVID-19 response and initiatives during the pandemic. 

With 5.5 million Floridians over 60 years old, Florida ranks first in the nation for 65+ population.  The DOEA met COVID-19 with hallmark innovations, ingenuity and new programs to help older adults stay independent, reduce social isolation, and bring new attention to behavioral health for the aging population. 

The DOEA’s initiatives included:

• Restaurant Meal Initiative: Delivered 3.4 million meals to seniors isolating at home.
• Project: VITAL:  Delivered tablets to 300 facilities to help residents connect with family members.
• Therapeutic Robotic Pets: Provided over 5,000 animatronic pets delivered to help isolated residents with dementia and other older adults.
• Mental Health Campaign and Telephone Reassurance Calls: Averaged 50,000 telephone reassurance calls a month.

Senators Briefed on COVID-19 Mitigation, Vaccine Progress in Florida

Senate President Wilton Simpson recently announced the creation of a new committee, the Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, chaired by Senator Danny Burgess.  The committee will review all facets of the state response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and identify areas where the Legislature can make improvements to benefit our state moving forward.

“Our charge is to both help Floridians get through the present and the future, and to also ask the question of ‘What can we do better to prepare our state in the future?’” said Chair Burgess during the committee’s first meeting.

The Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response received a presentation by the State Surgeon General, Scott Rivkees, M.D., and held a hospital panel discussion.  Additionally, the Committee on Health Policy, chaired by Senator Manny Diaz, held a discussion on Florida’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida DOH providing testimony to the Senate committee.

Liability Protection Legislation Filed to Help Businesses Safely Reopen During the Pandemic

The Florida Senate understands the suffering and challenges that business owners and employees have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The losses endured for nearly a year have caused an unnecessary burden on Floridians. 

Senate Bill 72 filed by Senator Brandes would shield businesses from fraudulent or opportunistic lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This good legislation creates protections for all persons, including businesses, charities, educational institutions, and others against a COVID-19-related claim. 

The legislation would require a court to dismiss without prejudice any lawsuit bringing a COVID-19-related claim if the complaint is not pled with particularity, or if the person filing the lawsuit failed to provide an affidavit of a physician attesting that the defendant caused the plaintiff’s injuries or damages.   If the court determines that the defendant made a good faith effort to substantially comply with government-issued health standards or guidance, the defendant is immune from liability.

You may read Senator Brandes's bill here. 

Legislation Filed to Improve Transparency in Government Spending 

Last week, Senator Ileana Garcia filed Senate Bill 506 that proposes new government transparency requirements.  

The bill will prevent bad actors from fraudulently using state funding for personal use.  SB 506 would require that specific data on salary and benefits of executives, managerial personnel, and board members of certain organizations or entities receiving state funds, be posted and available online through a state-run website. 

The bill would also require organizations and entities receiving state funds to annually publish the data on their website and provide it to the Department of Management Services (DMS).

You may read Senator Garcia's bill here.

Legislation Filed to Bolster Career Opportunities for Service Members

This week, Senator Tom Wright filed Senate Bill 586 that would provide Veterans Florida resources to connect employers with talented military members transitioning to civilian life and in search of new career opportunities. 

Veterans Florida would implement the Department of Defense’s Skillbridge program initiative throughout the state. 

Veterans Florida is a non-profit organization, created by the Legislature, to help military veterans transition to civilian life.  You may read Senate Bill 586 by Senator Wright here. 

CARES Act Funds Utilized to Empower Students, Families​

Florida continues to prioritize students and empower families by enhancing school choice options and increasing flexibility in the wake of COVID-19.

In the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, chaired by Senator Doug Broxson, the Florida Department of Education, Board of Governors, and a panel of school district superintendents provided updates on how federal CARES Act dollars have been used to meet the diverse needs of students while reopening schools.

Florida leaders understand that families deserve the right to choose the best option for their children or grandchildren, whether it is in-person instruction, virtual instruction, or homeschool.  Florida has ensured the necessary resources and funding have been made available to afford this flexibility.

Tour of Naples Airport and Collier Mosquito Control Facilities

Last month, I met with the Naples Airport Authority and the Collier Mosquito Control District (CMCD).  We took a tour of the facilities of the Naples Airport and discussed new projects, including a new fire station.  

The Mosquito Control District is working to mitigate mosquito populations in our community and offered a free mosquitofish program for Collier County residents. 

Native to Southwest Florida, mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) can consume large quantities of mosquito larvae daily.  They are small freshwater fish that will instantly go to work to "Fight The Bite" and keep mosquito populations low.  Visit the CMCD website for updates on where you can pick-up mosquitofish.