Current Events

Use these health databases to find articles and fact sheets about coronavirus.

• All persons age 18 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Florida. Orange County residents can sign up for appointments to receive the vaccine at Select Health Care Providers in the county.  The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons age 12 and up. A parent or legal guardian must accompany minors during vaccination and have a completed consent form.
• To sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in Orange County, visit www.ocfl.net/Vaccine, or visit the Orlando government vaccine information site for appointments in Orlando city limits.  You can also check the FDOH website for state eligibility details and a list of vaccination locations near you.  Supplies may be limited.
• LYNX and Orange County Government are announcing free round-trip rides on ACCESS LYNX for those vulnerable seniors 60 years or older to the Barnett Park drive-thru vaccination site. This free LYNX service will be available Monday through Friday.
• Those needing rental assistance, due to COVID-19 related hardship, can apply for the Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance program.  Those living in Orlando city limits should visit orlando.gov/assistance.
• Three vaccines have been been given Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and are in the process of being distributed to the public.  Check the CDC website, FDA website, and FDOH website for updates.
• If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC maintains an FAQ page that can be accessed on their website and the Orange County Government has created a common myth vs. facts page.
• CDC recommends that unvaccinated people wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Effective February 2, 2021, all travelers are required to wear masks on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Individual businesses may still require masks, regardless of vaccination status.  Details on how to properly use these masks are available from the CDC.
• Those in Orange County needing to be tested after potential COVID-19 exposure can find a list of testing locations on the Orange County Government Testing Page.
• Check local responses to the virus and latest recommendations on the Florida Department of Health website, the Florida Governor's website, the Orange County Government website, and the City of Orlando website.
• Check the current cases of COVID-19 in the US on the CDC website and cases in Florida on the FDOH 's Florida COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
• The Florida Department of Health has established a COVID-19 Call Center to answer general questions residents and visitors may have. The phone number is 407-723-5004. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Residents can also email questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov
• Residents of Orange County Florida can also call 407-723-5004 with questions or concerns.

(Last updated 6/11/2021)

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.  COVID-19 is a new strain that first appeared in Wuhan, China and has since spread around the globe. Common signs of infection have appeared 2-14 days after exposure and include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Person-to-person spread has been confirmed and is thought to occur mainly through people in close contact with one another (within about 6 ft) via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or exhales.  Currently the Florida Department of Health recommends you protect yourself and others with frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, wearing a mask in public, and social distancing.*

• If you are sick and exhibiting symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, contact your primary care physician or urgent care center for treatment advice.  It is recommended that residents call their provider before visiting their clinic.  Check the Orange County government Coronavirus webpage for latest updates on local health care. 
• Those suspecting they may be sick with the virus should follow the CDC's guidelines. ​
• Multiple testing sites are open in Orange County  Check the Orange County government page for testing criteria, a location map, and updates. 
• The CDC website has a comprehensive list of symptoms associated with COVID-19 and includes an interactive self-checker that can help you decide when to seek medical attention if you suspect you may be sick.
• To reduce your risk of becoming ill, follow these guidelines shared by the CDC.
• Three vaccines have been been given Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and are in the process of being distributed to the public.  Check the CDC website, FDA website, and FDOH website for updates.
• Answers to more common questions on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC questions and answers page.

*Information on COVID-19 was obtained from the CDC, WHO, FDOH, and John Hopkins Medicine websites.

Get up to the minute updates on COVID-19 with state and national Twitter feeds.

• Before deciding to travel nationally or internationally, the CDC is advising that you take the considerations listed on their website into account.
• Many countries are requiring mandatory quarantines on arrival and you may be required to quarantine upon return to the US.  Some countries are also currently restricting the entry of travelers from the US.  Further details can be found on the US Department of State website and the CDC website page for travelers.
• For information on traveling to Florida during this time, consult the Visit Florida and Florida Department of Health websites.  For information specific to the Orlando area, consult the Visit Orlando webpage.