SWFL remains in high-transmission for COVID-19, but hospitalizations and deaths are fewer

All of Southwest Florida remains in a high-transmission zone for COVID-19, according to the CDC. However, a great deal has changed over the past two years. Health systems in Southwest Florida have reported far fewer hospitalizations and deaths, which has people wondering whether a corner has been turned in the pandemic. The omicron BA-5 subvariant […]

For now, wary US treads water with transformed COVID-19

The fast-changing coronavirus has kicked off summer in the U.S. with lots of infections but relatively few deaths compared to its prior incarnations. COVID-19 is still killing hundreds of Americans each day, but is not nearly as dangerous as it was last fall and winter. “It’s going to be a good summer and we deserve […]

Florida Surgeon General responds to COVID-19 subcommittee on child vaccines

The Florida surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, responded Wednesday afternoon to James Clyburn, the Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, regarding vaccines for children under 5. The congressional subcommittee requested a briefing on June 17th in a letter sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, to explain the state’s decision not to order the […]

Publix grocery stores are not yet offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children younger than 5, but the chain has not explained its decision.

Publix supermarkets not yet offering COVID vaccine to young kids

Publix grocery stores are not yet offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children younger than 5, but the chain has not explained its decision. The supermarket chain with 1,288 stores in seven Southern states was instrumental in distributing the vaccine when it was initially released. Its website indicates it is currently offering the vaccine to adults […]

Florida decision leads to delays in COVID vaccine for young children

COVID-19 vaccinations for the youngest Americans are expected to be available later this week. However, that’s not the case in Florida, which will see delays because Gov. Ron DeSantis decided that the state would not order vaccines for children six months to five years old. The state’s decision means Florida doctors and hospitals will be […]

US opens COVID vaccine to children as young as 6 months; shots begin this week

The U.S. on Saturday opened COVID-19 vaccines to infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The shots will become available this week in Southwest Florida and the rest of the U.S., expanding the nation’s vaccination campaign to children as young as 6 months. WINK News reached out to pharmacies to find out who will be offering the vaccine. […]

CDC advisers recommend COVID-19 shots for children under 5

U.S. health advisers on Saturday recommended COVID-19 vaccines for infants, toddlers and preschoolers – the last group without the shots. The advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unanimously decided that coronavirus vaccines should be opened to children as young as 6 months. The final signoff was expected later in the day from […]

FDA authorizes COVID vaccines for kids under 5 years old

The FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old on Friday, clearing a key hurdle in expanding eligibility for the shots to 20 million babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The CDC must still sign off before kids under age 5 can start getting vaccinated, which could happen within days. “Those trusted with […]

Florida only state not preordering toddler COVID-19 vaccines

Florida is the only state that hasn’t preordered COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers in anticipation of their final approval by the federal government. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he wouldn’t facilitate their distribution but that they’ll be available to those who want them. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, who confirmed Florida’s outlier status on Thursday, […]

Theresa King

Cape Coral Hospital ICU nurse reflects on pandemic, latest COVID-19 increase

COVID-19 cases are the highest they have been since February in Southwest Florida. Lee Health on Tuesday said it was treating 93 patients with COVID-19. As of Wednesday, the number of patients had dropped to 83. Last September, WINK News talked to Cape Coral Hospital’s ICU Nurse Supervisor Theresa King about the deadly delta surge […]