omicron variant

The director of Orange County Utilities says COVID's omicron variant is circulating between 97 and 99 percent of samples.

Mayor Jane Castor says getting vaccinated, receiving a booster shot and wearing a mask is the best way paradegoers can avoid spreading COVID during the festivities.

In Pasco County, there were 649 teacher vacancies Monday, with most related to COVID. It has forced the district to double up classes or pull in staff members with teaching backgrounds to fill in.

In December, UF researchers predicted the omicron wave would reach its peak in February, but with the recent surge they’re now predicting the variant will peak within the next two weeks in the state.

The cancellations involve nearly half of the cruise line's fleet after one ship returned early to Miami this week due to a COVID-19 outbreak among crew members.

The COVID treatment that does appear to be effective against the omicron variant is in short supply, so many patients aren't able to access it.

Researchers are looking at data from U.S. cases to determine if the variant causes milder disease. Even if the answer is yes, they say, rates of hospitalization could be high during the surge.

The president and CEO of Visit Florida said the agency will continue to expand its marketing efforts and encourage tourists to vacation in Florida this winter.

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.

USF Health epidemiologist Jason Salemi says omicron seems to be less deadly than delta but cautions Floridians should still take the surge in cases seriously.