Jerry Demings

Dr. Raul Pino, who led the county through the COVID pandemic but was put on leave in January during a state investigation in an email he sent, has accepted a position as director of the county's Health Services.

The state placed Dr. Raul Pino on administrative leave in January while it investigated an email he sent to staff citing its low COVID vaccine rates and encouraging employees to get the shot.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says he’s hopeful that county medical director Dr. Raul Pino will soon return to work.

A statement put out by Mayor Jerry Demings' office said he was fully vaccinated and boosted and had received the positive test Tuesday evening.

A week ago, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Gov. Ron DeSantis was missing in action as COVID case numbers shot up in the state.

Orange County leaders plan to open a third testing site ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Meantime, Mayor Jerry Demings says Floridians should be outraged.

It's up to businesses to decide how to best protect workers and patrons once the emergency is lifted.

Mayor Jerry Demings says he supports firefighters. Gov. Ron DeSantis says the Orange County case underscores the need for a special session to outlaw mandates by local governments.

The vaccinated employees include 95 percent who are nonunion and about 75 percent in a union. Mayor Jerry Demings says workers who showed proof of vaccination by Thursday will receive a day off.

Mayor Jerry Demings says the county is on firm legal ground regarding its COVID vaccine mandate because employees who don’t get the shot can receive only a written reprimand, not termination.