covid

New COVID-19 rapid tests available to senior communities

During a recent COVID-19 press conference in The Villages, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management is distributing BinaxNOW rapid tests across the state to senior communities and long-term care facilities, as well as other sites,…

Residents impacted by COVID-19 may apply for rent, mortgage funds

Lake County Board of County Commissioners recently voted to allocate $15 million in CARES Act funding for resident assistance. Eligible Lake County residents who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 may receive up to $4,000 in rent or mortgage assistance…

Commissioners increase funds for businesses impacted by COVID-19

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners has approved increasing grant award amounts for all qualified for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19, according to a news release from county officials. The $16 million grants program – known as…

Florida reports lowest number COVID-19 cases since mid-June

The Sunshine State recorded the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since June 15, according to a news release on Sept. 8 from the Florida Department of Health. The DOH also reports a steady decline in the number of reported…

2020 Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire canceled due to COVID-19 concerns

The annual Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire, the most profitable fundraiser for the Education Foundation of Lake County, has been canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus, organization and Lake County officials announced in a press release Friday. The…

Lake County lists available COVID-19 testing locations

The following COVID-19 testing options are available for Lake County residents for the week of Aug. 10, according to a news release: Adult Medicine of Lake County Testing is $20 each for COVID-19 swab tests, antibody and rapid tests for…

Nursing Homes Request Priority and Funding from Congress in Next COVID Bill to Protect Residents and Caregivers

Nursing homes and assisted living communities ask for funding for testing, PPE supplies and workforce, and priority for vaccine distribution. Nursing homes received only 4.3% of the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund from CARES Act; zero funding for…

Over 3,300 Lake residents test positive for COVID-19

The latest COVID-19 data for Lake County reported by the Florida Department of Health on July 20 shows 3,3119 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 with 169 hospitalizations and 35 deaths. The median age of residents affected by the virus…

Lake County launches COVID-19 locator of local testing sites

Lake County has implemented an online testing site locator tool to allow users to find COVID-19 testing sites in the area, according to a news release. Users can enter their address and quickly identify where the closest testing site is, the type…

Could llamas be the unlikely cure to COVID-19?

As scientists and doctors search for effective treatments for the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have found a possible cure in an unlikely source: llamas. Scientists have long turned to llamas for antibody research, from HIV to Influenza. In 2016, researchers…