Current Events

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

• The free COVID-19 testing and vaccination site at Barnett Park closed on Friday, March 25, 2022, at 5 p.m. Orange County Government is awaiting federal funding approval from the U.S. Congress to continue free testing and vaccination.  For additional testing and vaccine availability information, visit the Orange County Coronavirus webpage.
• Those needing mortgage assistance can apply for Florida's Homeowner's Assistance Fund (HAF).  This fund provides assistance to homeowners for mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as loss of utilities, home energy services, and insurance.
• Those needing rental assistance, due to COVID-19 related hardship, can apply for the Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance program.  Those living within Orlando city limits should apply with the City of Orlando Assistance Program.
• CDC recommends that people wear masks indoors if they are in an area of high risk. Additionally, the CDC recommends travelers wear masks on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation and inside U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and transit stations.  Details on how to properly use these masks are available from the CDC. 
• Check local responses to the virus and latest recommendations on the Florida Department of Health 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.
• 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 1 (866) 779-6121. 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 4/19/2022)

• All persons ages 5 and older are 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 or at Barnett Park.  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. 
• LYNX and Orange County Government are are offering free round-trip rides on ACCESS LYNX for vulnerable seniors 60 years or older to the Barnett Park vaccination site.  If you are homebound and unable to travel to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine, Florida is offering home vaccination.  A request from must be filled out for this service and can be found here.
• COVID-19 vaccination boosters are available in Orange County at Barnett Park.
• Residents who have lost or damaged COVID-19 vaccination records/cards can request new documents in-person from the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, or online from Florida SHOTS.
• 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.
• If you have questions related to COVID vaccination for children, the CDC maintains a facts page addressing safety and efficacy concerns.

• Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com (Limit of 2 order per residential address).  To order and find further details, visit the USPS website.
• 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.
• Those testing suspecting they have COVID or who test positive can visit the CDC's website for recommendations on keeping yourself and others as healthy as possible.
• For general information about COVID-19 tests, visit the CDC website.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.  COVID-19 first emerged in 2019 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 occurs mainly through people in close contact with one another (within about 6 ft) via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or exhales.  The Centers for Disease Control recommends you protect yourself and others by getting a COVID-19 vaccine and wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of high community level transmission.  For unvaccinated individuals, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, wearing a mask in public, and social distancing are recommended.*

• 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 COVID-19 testing locations and latest updates on local health care. 
• Those suspecting they may be sick with the virus should follow the CDC's guidelines. ​
• 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 Full Approval or 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 show a negative COVID test result or 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 the Orlando area during this time, consult the Visit Orlando webpage.