Pinellas

A health advisory is being issued for many Pinellas beaches this weekend, with onshore breezes expected to make many red tide conditions worse.

St. Petersburg officials ask the governor for help in combating red tide. That comes on top of a similar request by one of the top Democratic contenders for governor.

The beaches along Pinellas County should be mostly clear this weekend, officials reported, but a health alert was issued for Picnic Island and Davis Islands in Hillsborough.

A red tide bloom in the Gulf has reached the coast as far north as Pinellas, causing fish kills and respiratory irritations, according to state wildlife officials.

DeSantis said 3,000 doses of the vaccine will be given out in Pinellas Park and an additional 5,000 doses will be provided to Pinellas County next week.

Some counties are working to vaccinate teachers over 65, but a Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association leader says it should be expanded, as all teachers are at risk.

The counties were taking reservations by phone after websites crashed Tuesday but filled time slots after a short time.

Vaccines are avalable for ages 65 and older. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, a reservation is required.

Pinellas will receive about 10,700 doses, which will be distributed by paramedics and nurses, with the National Guard helping with logistics.

Facilities in Pinellas and Broward counties will be the first to administer the Pfizer vaccine to its residents and health care personnel.