On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased mask guidelines for those vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have announced actions to strengthen health equity and address racial disparities in maternal health through increased investment in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. 

TALLAHASSEE – With a key lawmaker saying he recognizes that vaccine hesitancy is “real and understandable,” the Florida House on Wednesday approved a measure that would limit local emergency orders and make permanent Gov.

So far, roughly 213 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the United States, with more than a quarter of the nation fully vaccinated. The virus is still spreading, with cases rising in many parts of the country.

A local health department official stresses that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine blood clot cases are ‘extremely rare.’ BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES On Tuesday, federal health care agencies called for a pause of the Johnson & Johnson version of the COVID-19 vaccine. It comes after s…

BY ZEKE MILLER AND LAURAN NEERGAARD ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease …

FAMILY FEATURES Even before COVID-19 limited social contact with friends, family and colleagues, many adults experienced loneliness and depression due to limited contact with others. Now, a year after the pandemic forced many people into even greater levels of isolation, the issue of social …

FAMILY FEATURES If there is a silver lining to the challenges the past year created for families, it may be the growth, availability and affordability of virtual care for medical and mental health needs. The ability to see a doctor from home, with little notice, offers a level of flexibility…

MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK/TNS Vaccination is an important step in the fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being vaccinated for COVID-19 protects you from becoming infected and possibly infecting those around you. COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administ…

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES Jamari Daniels, 28, was among the local residents receiving the first dose of the Moderna vaccine at the Midtown Cultural & Education Center in Daytona Beach. On Monday, all adults in the state were eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination e…

BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF Florida residents 40 and up can now get the COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, April 5, the state will open the age to all adults. Vaccines will be administered for all Florida residents 18 and up on Wednesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Midtown Cultural & Edu…

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The Biden administration announced that it will extend by three months a special enrollment period for Americans to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, giving people until Aug. 15. The extension will give people additional time to tap into healt…

FROM FAMILY FEATURES On average, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD) every 36 seconds, approximately 2,380 deaths each day, according to the American Heart Association. Each day, 405 deaths occur in the U.S. as the result of strokes, an average of one death ev…

Florida has started offering COVID-19 vaccines to residents 50 and older. Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that the age would be lowered from 60 to 50. DeSantis’ announcement came after some officials said they planned to lower the age threshold to 50. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demi…

FROM FAMILY FEATURES After months of unfamiliar restrictions and guidelines, pandemic fatigue is affecting how some Americans protect their health. However, experts warn that diligence is still extremely important because new mutations and variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being…

Early study results suggest it’s possible BY KATIE CAMERO MCCLATCHY WASHINGTON BUREAU/TNS A potential new treatment for COVID-19 still undergoing study cleared non-hospitalized coronavirus patients who had symptoms of infection faster than in patients who received a placebo, according to pre…

BY SHELIA POOLE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/TNS ATLANTA – When Keondra Williams went to her first support group meeting for Alzheimer’s caregivers in Cobb County, she felt more alone than ever. All the caregivers in the meeting where older White women. Williams, who was in her early 40s at …

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded vaccinations to those 50 years or older that are K-12 employees, long-term care facilities residents and staff, health care personnel with direct patient contact, law enforcement and firefighters. Despite cases and death toll…

Since opening Nov. 2, the state-operated COVID-19 testing site in New Smyrna Beach has performed more than 86,000 free tests. Yesterday alone, 1,433 people were tested. The site, located at the City Gym, 1000 Live Oak St., offers self-swab rapid antigen and PCR testing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. …

Tips for managing the mounting costs of a chronic condition FAMILY FEATURES Managing a chronic disease takes plenty of special planning and attention, and in many cases, a lot of money. In some cases, the expenses associated with disease management are overwhelming, forcing patients to skip …

COVID-19 vaccinations continue as the virus continues to hit hard locally. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES Across the nation, the number of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise and locally is no exception. As of the Daytona Times’ Wednesday night deadline, there we…

With the holiday season upon us, the COVID-19 test site in New Smyrna Beach is busier than ever, setting a new record for daily number of tests Wednesday, Dec. 23. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has worked with the City of New Smyrna Beach to extend COVID-19 testing operations …

FROM FAMILY FEATURES A lifelong diagnosis like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may feel overwhelming and confusing, but by working closely with your health care providers, you can work toward managing the disease and improving your quality of life. Consider these recommendations from the Cr…

Seniors braved long lines at Daytona Stadium for a Moderna shot. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES Daytona Beach resident Earl Robinson, 78, was administered the coronavirus vaccine on Monday at Daytona Stadium. He was one of 2,000 senior citizens who received the Moderna vaccine distributed M…

SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES On Monday, Jan. 4, the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) in partnership with the City of Daytona Beach will began vaccinating people age 65 and older. The first vaccination clinic will runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 4 and 5 at Dayto…

The COVID-19 testing site in New Smyrna Beach set a new record for daily number of tests on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Recognizing the continued use of this free service, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has worked with the City of New Smyrna Beach to extend operations at the site until…

NAVIGATING THE NICU FROM FAMILY FEATURES If you have a baby who is born too early or has serious health problems, he or she may be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a hospital unit that provides around  -the-clock specialized care to newborns. The NICU can be an overwhelmi…

BY CHRISTINE SEXTON NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday asked Floridians to be patient as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out for the state’s seniors, a process that is already creating a rush and placing a substantial burden on hospitals that play a key role in…

By JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — With more than 1,000 reported deaths in less than two weeks, the number of Florida residents who have died of COVID-19 exceeded 21,000 on Saturday, according to the state Department of Health. The department’s website showed 21,135 reside…

BY CHRISTINE SEXTON NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE – About 180 hospitals across the state will have access to COVID-19 vaccines as of next week, Florida’s emergency management chief said Tuesday. Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz said five hospitals that received…

Conspiracy theories widely circulating on social media BY JOHN KEILMAN CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS CHICAGO — If you want an idea of the conspiracy theories that hang over COVID-19 vaccines, there’s no better summation than a 40-second Tik-Tok video posted in October by a performer named Taylor Rouss…

FROM FAMILY FEATURES Stress and anxiety are all too familiar to many Americans, this year especially, and the added pressure of the holiday season may provide a new set of challenges. Practicing self-care and nurturing your mental health can help you navigate these potentially isolating time…

COVID-19 testing will be provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management through Jan. 31. The site, located at the City Gym, 1000 Live Oak St., New Smyrna Beach, was initially scheduled to close at the end of the month. “We’re just so thankful for the coordination and support from b…

AdventHealth partners with Boys & Girls Clubs to teach kids about nutritious snacking On Nov. 20, youth with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties received “Trail Mix to Go” healthy snack bags for each member at the eight clubs located in the two counties. Each snack bag…

TALLAHASSEE  — The Florida Department of Health is providing information for residents to make the best decisions about their health and safety while enjoying Halloween. If trick-or-treating is allowed in your community, the department has tips to ensure a safe and healthy Halloween. Plan co…

Tips for managing the mounting costs of a chronic condition FROM FAMILY FEATURES Managing a chronic disease takes plenty of special planning and attention, and in many cases, a lot of money. In some cases, the expenses associated with disease management are overwhelming, forcing patients to …