WEATHER ALERT
Former Jackson Health System official accused of bribery scheme
Read full article: Former Jackson Health System official accused of bribery schemeA former official with the county-owned Jackson Health System is facing a criminal charge after Miami-Dade prosecutors said he awarded contracts to a vendor in exchange for cash and gifts.
Health alert: Waste plant fire in Doral affects those sensitive to air pollution, doctor warns
Read full article: Health alert: Waste plant fire in Doral affects those sensitive to air pollution, doctor warnsAuthorities warned that people who are usually sensitive to air pollution continued to be at risk on Monday in the area of Doral, authorities reported.
Florida breaks record with 430,297 COVID cases this week
Read full article: Florida breaks record with 430,297 COVID cases this weekFlorida reported 430,297 new COVID-19 cases from the past week, a new record that equates to more than 61,000 infections per day, according to the state health department’s report released Friday.
Hospitals urge COVID caution over Christmas, but ICUs not filling up
Read full article: Hospitals urge COVID caution over Christmas, but ICUs not filling upJackson North Chief Medical Officer Dr. O’Neil Pyke says that, unlike the summer’s delta-driven spike, there is not mounting pressure on ICU beds during this omicron variant surge.
Regeneron monoclonal antibodies in short supply as COVID crush hits Florida
Read full article: Regeneron monoclonal antibodies in short supply as COVID crush hits FloridaDoses of the Regeneron monoclonal antibody treatment touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis have been exhausted in Miami-Dade County, the mayor’s office confirmed to Local 10 News on Tuesday morning.
DeSantis challenges Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine rules for businesses with 100 or more employees
Read full article: DeSantis challenges Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine rules for businesses with 100 or more employeesPresident Joe Biden’s administration wants the employees of companies with a personnel of 100 or more to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4, or agree to undergo weekly coronavirus testing and wear a mask while in the workplace starting Dec. 5.
Florida caps another week of fewer COVID infections, lower positivity rate
Read full article: Florida caps another week of fewer COVID infections, lower positivity rateFlorida reported 5,829 new COVID-19 cases in the latest data posted Friday by the CDC. The state’s weekly report set to come out later Friday will show a fifth straight week with fewer new infections than the one prior.
South Florida hospitals have coolers ready as temporary morgues as COVID deaths increase
Read full article: South Florida hospitals have coolers ready as temporary morgues as COVID deaths increaseRefrigerated trucks and trailers are in place at South Florida hospitals as a precautionary measure to be used as temporary morgues, Local 10 News has confirmed.
‘Perfect storm’: Plethora of COVID cases test hospitals facing critical shortage of ICU staff
Read full article: ‘Perfect storm’: Plethora of COVID cases test hospitals facing critical shortage of ICU staffThroughout the 18 months of the pandemic, hospitals have faced a competitive labor market, but the new rise of COVID hospitalizations is testing South Florida hospitals facing a critical shortage of intensive care unit staff.
Jackson Memorial Hospital doctors bring blood, medical supplies to site of Surfside building collapse
Read full article: Jackson Memorial Hospital doctors bring blood, medical supplies to site of Surfside building collapseVideo provided by the Jackson Health System shows an inside look at the rush to get life-saving care to Champlain Towers South after a portion of the building collapsed Thursday morning.
FDA approval for Pfizer vaccine kids expected any day and Miami’s Jackson Health will be ready, CEO says
Read full article: FDA approval for Pfizer vaccine kids expected any day and Miami’s Jackson Health will be ready, CEO saysWith the Food and Drug Administration getting ready to OK the vaccine, Jackson Health Systems is gearing up for distribution.
Free Uber, pop-up sites, TV campaigns as South Florida leaders urge for COVID-19 vaccinations
Read full article: Free Uber, pop-up sites, TV campaigns as South Florida leaders urge for COVID-19 vaccinationsCivic leaders are pulling out all the stops to get people who are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine to get them to show up for a shot in the arm.
Broward, Miami-Dade team up for COVID-19 vaccination campaign ‘I Did It’
Read full article: Broward, Miami-Dade team up for COVID-19 vaccination campaign ‘I Did It’A new ad campaign targeted at people who are hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccination is being launched with demand for the vaccine softening.
Miami nurse arrested over alleged threat to kill Kamala Harris
Read full article: Miami nurse arrested over alleged threat to kill Kamala HarrisA nurse is facing federal charges for reportedly sending videos to her husband in prison threatening to kill the vice president of the United States Kamala Harris.
Out-of-state and international students included in free college COVID shots from Jackson Health
Read full article: Out-of-state and international students included in free college COVID shots from Jackson HealthJackson Health Systems is offering free COVID-19 shots to college students, whether they are from in state or anywhere out of Florida, including internationally.
FEMA extiende disponibilidad de primera toma en el Campus Norte de Miami-Dade College hasta el 7 de abril
Read full article: FEMA extiende disponibilidad de primera toma en el Campus Norte de Miami-Dade College hasta el 7 de abrilMadeleine Wright is a general assignment reporter for Local 10 News. She joined the team in March 2017. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526.
Younger patients without doctor’s notes get COVID-19 vaccines at Miami Dade College
Read full article: Younger patients without doctor’s notes get COVID-19 vaccines at Miami Dade CollegeDavalos said he doesn’t have an underlying health condition. He was asked if he had a doctor’s note but said he didn’t. AdThe couple was at the vaccine site Tuesday with their daughter, who turns 15 months old Wednesday. “We thought if they ask for the doctor’s note we will go back home, but we wanted to take the risk because we think it is worth it,” Lopez said. AdOn Monday, the Jackson Health System separately announced that it would expand access to vaccines and not require documentation for people who affirm they have a high-risk condition.
Several FEMA-supported vaccination sites open in Miami-Dade
Read full article: Several FEMA-supported vaccination sites open in Miami-DadeMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami Dade College’s North Campus is now home to a massive vaccination site run by the state and supported by FEMA. More than 2,000 doses will be administered there per day, 500 of which will be the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AdThe U.S. Army is prepared to administer 2,500 Pfizer doses and 500 Johnson & Johnson doses daily. Both are offering 500 doses daily and are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Ad“(The) Jackson Health System has vaccinated over 97,000 members of the community,” Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya said.
It’s Health Heroes month in Miami-Dade, commissioners say
Read full article: It’s Health Heroes month in Miami-Dade, commissioners sayMIAMI – A group of Jackson Health System doctors and nurses took a break on Tuesday to receive praise from Miami-Dade County commissioners in their chambers. He introduced a proclamation on Feb. 26 to declare March as Health Heroes month and presented it during the commission meeting. It has been a challenging year for the public health system, which had support from the federal government. According to The Florida Department of Health, 11,685 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Miami-Dade, including 102 non-residents. Ron DeSantis first declared a state emergency on March 9, 2020, after announcing the first coronavirus cases in Florida.
This Week in South Florida: Martha Baker
Read full article: This Week in South Florida: Martha BakerPEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – There is a new weapon against COVID-19, the new single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The FDA gave Johnson & Johnson the go-ahead for its vaccine. This week, Broward Health and Miami-Dade Jackson Health System began vaccinating people under 65 with certain medical conditions. Martha Baker is the founding nurse manager of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Health and the President of SEIU Local 1991, the union that represents about 5,000 nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers. She joined This Week in South Florida hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.
Jackson expands COVID-19 vaccines to patients 55+ with specific medical conditions
Read full article: Jackson expands COVID-19 vaccines to patients 55+ with specific medical conditionsMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Jackson Health System is expanding its vaccinations to Floridians 55 and older if they have a specific medical condition that has shown to be high-risk for COVID-19. Residents 55 and older and with at least one of those conditions can make appointments online at jacksonhealth.org when doses are available. AdJackson provided a sample of a doctor’s note that shows all of the necessary information, which can be seen below:Gov. “We will continue to take care of people over 65 with any kind of conditions or no conditions,” Migoya said. AdGeller says Broward has already vaccinated about 175,000 seniors, and he estimates that about 150,000 of those are residents of the county.
Florida reports 5,436 new coronavirus cases Sunday, 96 more resident deaths
Read full article: Florida reports 5,436 new coronavirus cases Sunday, 96 more resident deaths(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)Florida health officials confirmed 5,436 additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and another 96 resident deaths as a result of the novel coronavirus. The state has now verified 1,827,373 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began and 28,779 resident deaths, according to the department of health. A look at the statewide positivity rate for new COVID-19 cases across Florida over the past two weeks. Latest totalsWorldwide, the number of COVID-19 cases reported is more than 108.6 million. AdThe United States has confirmed over 27.5 million cases and has had more than 484,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest totals in the world.
Florida reports 7,515 new coronavirus cases Saturday, 118 more resident deaths
Read full article: Florida reports 7,515 new coronavirus cases Saturday, 118 more resident deaths(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)Florida health officials confirmed 7,515 additional cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and another 118 resident deaths as a result of the novel coronavirus. The state has now verified 1,821,937 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began and 28,683 resident deaths, according to the department of health. A look at the statewide positivity rate for new COVID-19 cases across Florida over the past two weeks. Latest totalsWorldwide, the number of COVID-19 cases reported is more than 108.3 million. AdThe United States has confirmed over 27.5 million cases and has had more than 481,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest totals in the world.
Florida reports 7,023 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, 232 more resident deaths
Read full article: Florida reports 7,023 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, 232 more resident deathsFlorida health officials confirmed 7,023 additional cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and another 232 resident deaths as a result of the novel coronavirus. The state has now verified 1,790,743 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began and 28,048 resident deaths, according to the department of health. Deaths verified in the past day include 19 in Miami-Dade County, seven in Broward County and eight in Palm Beach County. A look at the statewide positivity rate for new COVID-19 cases across Florida over the past two weeks. Latest totalsWorldwide, the number of COVID-19 cases reported is more than 106.6 million.
Seniors receive COVID-19 vaccine at North Dade Health Center in Miami Gardens
Read full article: Seniors receive COVID-19 vaccine at North Dade Health Center in Miami GardensMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Shirley Kemp and Jimmy Green were among the seniors who received their first dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday at the Jackson Health System‘s North Dade Health Center in Miami Gardens. The supply of the COVID-19 vaccine in Miami-Dade County hasn’t been able to meet the demand for people age 65 and older who are at a higher risk of dying of the disease. President Joe Biden said it will take about eight months for a majority of Americans to receive the two dosages of the COVID-19 vaccine. “There’s nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months,” Biden said. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava prohibited the overbooking of appointments for the vaccine, after both Baptist Health and Mount Sinai had to cancel appointments due to issues with supply.
Those turned away from Broward vaccine sites being sent to Holiday Park
Read full article: Those turned away from Broward vaccine sites being sent to Holiday ParkFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – George Kirkman said he showed up at his appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday early, but still he was turned away. Kirkman was one of many seniors who were shut out of state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites in Broward County following a so-called scheduling glitch. JHS is no longer taking appointments with a notice that states: “We have booked more than 12,000 vaccine appointments. Currently, all of our COVID-19 vaccination appointment slots have been filled, and we are not taking any new appointments at this time. RELATED LINKS:> Vaccination sites in Broward County> Vaccination sites in Miami-Dade County> Hard Rock Stadium to have COVID-19 vaccines and continue testing
Jackson Health coronavirus vaccine appointments run out before website was supposed to open
Read full article: Jackson Health coronavirus vaccine appointments run out before website was supposed to openMIAMI – Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines at the Jackson Health System were supposed to open to seniors 65 and older at 11 a.m. Tuesday. That led to frustration for many Miami-Dade County residents who were hoping to be part of this wave of vaccinations. Jackson advises people to check back to their website Jacksonhealth.org frequently, as they say more appointments will be posted when more doses arrive. “We are not setting appointments unless we have vaccine for those appointments,” Jackson CEO Carlos Migoya said. “We realize this vaccine is in high demand, and we will continue to open more slots as we receive additional vaccines.
Jackson Health starts public COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Read full article: Jackson Health starts public COVID-19 vaccination campaignMIAMI – The Jackson Health System started to provide the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 on Wednesday to patients who are seniors ages 65 and older. Emilio Estefan, 67, received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 on Wednesday at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHeath/Jackson Memorial. The public healthcare system will be receiving 15,000 additional doses of Pfizer’s vaccine that will be administered to seniors, according to Lidia Amoretti, a spokeswoman for Jackson Health System. The system is also preparing to launch an online platform to allow Miami-Dade County residents who are ages 65 and older to make appointments to receive the vaccine. Also in Miami-Dade, the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach is providing the vaccine to seniors ages 75 and older.
So far, only 1 area hospital offering COVID-19 vaccine to community
Read full article: So far, only 1 area hospital offering COVID-19 vaccine to communityThe hospital has elected to take doses from its allocation to vaccinate people 75 years or older while also immunizing frontline healthcare workers. Memorial Healthcare System: They have received only the initial Pfizer allocation to inoculate its healthcare workers and the healthcare workers at five additional hospitals throughout Broward. Broward Health: COVID-19 vaccinations are only available to the hospital’s healthcare providers at this time. We have vaccinated approximately 3,900 frontline healthcare workers since we began vaccinations, on Dec. 16. Additionally, upcoming dose allocations are still pegged to frontline healthcare workers who need the second dose of the vaccine.
Miami-Dade mayor and medical experts discuss critical stretch of COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Miami-Dade mayor and medical experts discuss critical stretch of COVID-19 pandemicMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County will be rolling out a new public awareness campaign titled “We Can, We Will” to emphasize the need for the public to do its part to get through a tough upcoming stretch in the COVID-19 pandemic. That was revealed during a virtual news conference Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava held Friday along with several other local government and medical leaders. Medical experts said the expected virus surge from Thanksgiving travel likely hasn’t hit us yet, but they say it is coming and could intensify after Christmas. To get through the coming month, they are imploring residents to avoid indoor gatherings, wear masks and wash their hands. ALSO SEEFlorida reports 10,870 more coronavirus cases Thursday, most since late JulyFlu shots critical to avoiding ‘twindemic’ with COVID-19
Miami-Dade mayor, other leaders urge COVID-19 precautions as Thanksgiving approaches
Read full article: Miami-Dade mayor, other leaders urge COVID-19 precautions as Thanksgiving approachesMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava held her first virtual news conference Tuesday afternoon on the response to the coronavirus pandemic since taking office. Levine Cava started the news conference by reminding residents that the New Normal guidelines approved by former Mayor Carlos Gimenez remain in place at this time. Levine Cava and Paige also urged residents to be cautious during their Thanksgiving celebrations this week. [Residents may visit MiamiDade.gov/newnormal for the latest on the New Normal guidelines in Miami-Dade County.] “When you say 40 million doses, remember Pfizer takes two doses per person, one immediately and the other one in 21 days, so that brings it down to 20 million people,” he said.
Miami’s Jackson Health System will be among first to receive Pfizer coronavirus vaccine
Read full article: Miami’s Jackson Health System will be among first to receive Pfizer coronavirus vaccineMIAMI – The Jackson Health System in Miami will be one of the first recipients provided the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. We expect to receive a limited supply of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December and are prepared with the proper storage to begin immediate distribution,” wrote spokesperson Lidia Amoretti in a statement emailed to Local 10 News. “Memorial Healthcare System is prepared to receive and properly store the COVID-19 vaccines and will follow the guidance of the CDC to administer the vaccines,” spokesperson Kerting Baldwin told Local 10 News in an email. “The initial data and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines are encouraging, yet they are not the whole story. “I think that equally as important as the vaccine availability and our community, especially those at risk taking the vaccine, is to continue to be safe,” said Dr. Aharon Sareli, chief of critical care medicine for Memorial Healthcare System.
South Florida hospitals on alert after warning of cyber attacks that target finances
Read full article: South Florida hospitals on alert after warning of cyber attacks that target financesMIAMI, Fla. – Several federal agencies are warning that U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems are under an increased cyber security threat. South Florida representatives of area hospital-care systems said although they haven’t been made aware that they are specific targets of cyber attacks, they are being vigilant. Jackson Health System has not been affected by the attacks. The University of Miami sent out a warning about the cyber threat advising university system users to be on alert. At Jackson Health System, the hospital does large-scale testing of their continuity — or back up plans — in the event of an attack.
This Week in South Florida: Carlos Migoya
Read full article: This Week in South Florida: Carlos MigoyaPEMBROKE PARK, Fla. A slow but solid trend downward in South Florida cases of COVID-19 has been ongoing recently. One of the best signs of that are in the numbers of hospital admissions, which are going down. It's happening across the Jackson Health System as well. Jackson Health CEO Carlos Migoya joined Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg on This Week in South Florida to discuss. Their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.
South Florida hospitals face daunting challenge during coronavirus pandemic
Read full article: South Florida hospitals face daunting challenge during coronavirus pandemicFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. South Florida hospitals emergency rooms are stretched thin on Friday as physicians face daunting challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. Both Jackson Health System in Miami-Dade County and Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County have been forced to increased intensive care unit capacity. Dr. Randy Katz, the head of Memorial Healthcare Systems emergency services, said typically his staff treats about 300 patients daily and now they are seeing about 450. Jackson Health System reported treating 445 COVID-19 patients and a shortage of remdesivir, an antiviral medication approved to treat COVID-19. The white house is accelerating more remdesivir to the state of Florida, DeSantis said.
Coronavirus in Florida: Recent surge in COVID-19 cases has South Florida hospitals struggling to keep up
Read full article: Coronavirus in Florida: Recent surge in COVID-19 cases has South Florida hospitals struggling to keep upMIAMI The rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations across South Florida continues as the state navigates through the latest surge in cases. The Jackson Health System has seen a 226 percent increase in coronavirus hospitalizations from June 14 to July 14th. If you ask Carlos Migoya, who runs Jackson Health, he thinks there is a behavioral issue in the community. Jackson Health System has 153 employees currently with COVID-19, including 37 nurses. Memorial West pans to use its auxiliary auditorium for non-COVID patients in the next day or so.
Emergency rooms in South Florida get selective with coronavirus cases
Read full article: Emergency rooms in South Florida get selective with coronavirus casesPEMBROKE PINES, Fla. A woman said Memorial Hospital Pembroke turned away her 65-year-old husband on Monday morning in Pembroke Pines. The Broward County resident was diagnosed with the coronavirus while suffering from pneumonia and a heart condition, she said. ! And they said, In order to admit him, his symptoms have to be worse, she said. This comes as the number of available intensive care unit beds is dwindling and emergency room physicians are forced to be more selective on who gets admitted. In Miami-Dade County, the Jackson Health System reduced selective procedures to allow only urgent surgeries, as COVID-19 patients in need of treatment doubled in the last two weeks.
Miami-Dade commission talks closures and Jackson halts elective surgery as county hits 1,000 deaths
Read full article: Miami-Dade commission talks closures and Jackson halts elective surgery as county hits 1,000 deathsThat conversation comes as Miami-Dade reaches 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said still believes the county needs to give the new normal rules a chance, and he reiterated enforcement of those rules. The infection rate among Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue workers has also increased. While Gimenez has kept the reopening plans in a holding pattern, the county has closed beaches for the July 4 weekend to limit crowds. The county also announced a new executive order Wednesday that will limit hotel pool hours and alcohol consumption.
Local hospitals seeing younger people with coronavirus, but does that mean no reason for concern?
Read full article: Local hospitals seeing younger people with coronavirus, but does that mean no reason for concern?PLANTATION, Fla. With 30,196 cases in Miami-Dade County, up 25 percent in one day and 13,320 coronavirus cases in Broward County, up 11 percent since the previous day, local hospitals are expressing concern. In Miami-Dade County, hospitalizations in the same time period were 3,887, which is 13 percent of all cases of people who presented with COVID-19 symptoms. In a period of ten days, Jackson Health System in Miami has doubled the number of patients they have seen coming through their doors. Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System, says there are some challenges. Theyve ended up in a car accident or other things, and as we test every patient that comes in, we have found them to be (COVID-19) positive.
Artist Claudia La Bianca paints at Jackson Memorial Hospital to honor coronavirus fighters
Read full article: Artist Claudia La Bianca paints at Jackson Memorial Hospital to honor coronavirus fightersMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Artist Claudia La Bianca is mapping out a masterpiece on the side of Jackson Memorial Hospital. La Bianca said she was thinking about toll COVID-19 was taking on her home country of Italy, and its potential for doom in her South Florida community. “They are fighting the bad guy, which is the virus, and they’re saving life and they’re taking care of the sick ones,” she said. Italian artist honors fighters at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Art can inspire people and can bring a positive message,” La Bianca said.
After ‘frightening’ weeks, Jackson Health System CEO warns coronavirus crisis will ‘get worse’
Read full article: After ‘frightening’ weeks, Jackson Health System CEO warns coronavirus crisis will ‘get worse’MIAMI – In a letter sent to Jackson Health System employees, Carlos Migoya, the chief executive officer of Miami-Dade County’s public hospital, painted a grim picture. “This will almost certainly get worse before it gets better,” Migoya wrote, echoing U.S. As the deadly respiratory illness spreads, Jackson Health System and other hospitals “could be at great financial risk,” Migoya warned. In the letter, Migoya asked employees in non-clinical roles “to voluntarily use personal leave over the next few weeks” in an attempt to avoid layoffs. Despite the $830 million bond that passed in 2013 allowing Jackson to invest in much-needed upgrades, the response to the pandemic’s impact is testing the system.