Tigers Test Positive, Mayor Makes History, Flurona Fears: FL News

Tampa FL

08 January, 2022

12:51 AM

Description

TAMPA, FL — It wasn't the upbeat New Year's celebration most Florida residents hoped to have. The festivities were subdued by news of escalating coronavirus rates due to the introduction of the highly contagious omicron variant. Instead of stories about heartwarming holiday reunions and throngs of children eagerly tearing open gifts thanks to the community's largesse, the news was dominated by reports of cruise and airline cancellations, hospitals filling with patients, residents frantically combing pharmacies in search of coronavirus testing kits, debates over the effectiveness of vaccinations and antibody treatments and even tigers at a Florida zoo testing positive for the virus. In other words, the toasts at midnight on Jan. 1 lacked their usual ebullience. Nevertheless, there were Floridians found reasons to celebrate including the inauguration of St. Petersburg's first Black mayor, the reunion of a family with their beloved pup after three months, the return of the Tarpon Springs Epiphany celebration broadcast live to members of the Greek Orthodox church around the world and the ray of hope following the births of New Year's babies. Take a look at some stories featured on Florida Patch sites this week: Coach Arians To Brown: 'You're Done. Get the 'F' Out Of Here.'Manatee County Fair Opens Jan. 13 In PalmettoTraffic Backed Up On Old Bradenton Road As Long Waits For COVID Testing Continues: Police3G Networks In FL Ending Service By End Of 2022: What It MeansFort Lauderdale Hospital Shuts Down Maternity Unit As COVID-19 Surge Impacts StaffingA Significant Increase Of Positive COVID-19 Cases In Polk Kids As they Return To SchoolTop 10 Markets On 2021 U-Haul Growth Index Include North Port, Sarasota-BradentonPalm Beach Police Investigate Fliers Telling 'Woke' New Yorkers To Leave: ReportSt. Petersburg Mayor Inauguration Day To Be Virtual After Ken Welch Tests COVID PositiveFollowing Mayor Ken Welch's Virtual Swearing-In, He Plans To Work Monday From City HallFL Has Millions Set Aside To Buy Antibody Treatments Less Effective Against New VariantNotebook Found Near Laundrie's Remains In FBI Custody; His Parents Want It Back: ReportFifth Person Hit, Killed By Brightline Train In Southeast FL In One Month: Report6,117 Pinellas Students, Staff Confirmed Positive For COVID-19 On 2nd Day Back To SchoolTeen Boys Take Plunge During Tarpon Springs' Epiphany CelebrationOne Year Later, 76 Floridians Charged In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Insurrection1 Million At-Home Tests Expired Last Month, 67K New Cases Reported: FL COVID-19 SurgeHealth Officials Say They're Ineffective For Omicron; FL Orders 15,000 Antibody TreatmentsTiny Pup Found 3 Months later 68 Miles Away After DisappearingFirst Cases Of 'Flurona' — A Diagnosis Of Both The Flu And COVID — Reported In FL: Report2 Tigers Test Positive For COVID-19 At ZooTampa; Under QuarantineBus Driver Shortage Forces GoPasco, Pasco Schools To Make ChangesAdventHealth Welcomes 1st Baby Of New YearNew Year's Baby Born At Tampa General Joins 3 Sisters, 1 Brother