JOSEPH LADAPO

Hours after State Sen. Randolph Bracy announced a plan to host a COVID-19 vaccination event for children, he said they are postponing it.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee)GENEVA — (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization. The biggest weekly rise in new COVID-19 cases was seen in the Middle East, where they increased by 47%, according to the report released late Wednesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said cases were on the rise in 110 countries, mostly driven by the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Tedros said that while more than 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally, the average immunization rate in poor countries is about 13%. Earlier this month, the United States authorized COVID-19 vaccines for infants and preschoolers, rolling out a national immunization plan targeting 18 million of the youngest children.

The World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million new cases reported globally.

The company’s customer service department did not explaining the reasoning for the decision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday held a news conference at Broward Health Sports Medicine in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida’s health care agency will hold one public hearing on a proposed rule that would stop Medicaid payments to gender-affirming treatments for children and adolescents.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Biden administration is lying about his state ordering COVID vaccines for young children, and the media played along

The FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children aged six-months to five-years on Friday. Florida was the only state to not pre-order any shots of the...

Florida is the only state that hasn't pre-ordered COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, and they could start to go out as soon as next week.

Biden issues executive order cracking down on 'discredited and dangerous' conversion therapy

As the federal Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to...

After the state threatened to impose a $27.5 million fine, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that the Special Olympics USA Games will not have a...

Transgender Treatment Florida FILE - Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, front left, gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, front right, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. Florida health officials have asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth. Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is increasingly under attack in many states where it has been labeled a form of child abuse or subject to various bans. Many doctors and mental health specialists argue that medical treatment for transgender children is safe and beneficial and can improve their well-being, although rigorous long-term research on benefits and risks is lacking. The actions have drawn condemnation from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, an international group of doctors and others involved in treating transgender people.

Florida health officials have asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be making a stop in Central Florida Friday morning. READ: ‘An oozing coming out of a tomb’: Disturbing leak at mausoleum angers familyThe event will be held at Rio Pinar Golf & Country Club. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference when it begins. Click here to watch it live.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the drop of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for athletes competing in the Special Olympics in Orlando.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo wrote members of the Department of Health’s board about gender dysphoria treatments for children and adolescents Thursday.

Arguing that a 15-week limit on abortions signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is unconstitutional, abortion clinics from across the state launched a legal challenge Wednesday...

Nearly eight months after News 6 submitted a public records request seeking emails and other communications created by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo during his first two weeks on the job, the Florida Department of Health released eight pages of un-redacted documents.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced $125 million in funding for nursing and claimed the Florida government is going to take care of Disney’s debt while speaking at Seminole State College, Sanford, Florida today. According to reports, the Walt Disney Company’s self-government status will be repealed and the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be dissolved in 2023, leaving the local taxpayers with more than $1 billion in bond debt.

SANFORD, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Central Florida to make an announcement. The governor will be joined by Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, and Wilton Simpson, president of the Florida Senate. READ: Florida gas prices remain at record highsDeSantis’ office did not provide details about the announcement. READ: Lunar eclipse 2022: 10 stunning photos of May’s ‘super flower blood moon’Check back and watch Eyewitness News for the latest developments.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Sanford.

The Florida Department of Health is withholding records of Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s communications during his first two weeks as Florida's surgeon general.

The memo directly contradicts guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on gender transition, as well as best practices as outlined by the country’s largest medical organizations.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a “No Patient Left Alone” bill into law Wednesday, establishing in-person hospital and nursing home visitation rights throughout the state regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Questioning the motives behind Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's recommendation against vaccinating children.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event that featured doctors who criticized COVID lockdowns and mandate policies.

Last month, the state health department discouraged mask-wearing and pushed physicians to exercise their own judgement when treating virus patients.

Last month, the state health department discouraged mask-wearing and pushed physicians to exercise their own judgement when treating virus patients.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion. Read: Over 1,000 homes evacuated as wildfires rage in Florida PanhandleThe Florida state Senate confirmed Ladapo as surgeon general despite criticism that his virus health policy is too aligned with the anti-lockdown and mandate politics of DeSantis. Read: Police search for man who brutally stabbed Daytona Beach couple to deathThe Associated Press contributed to this article.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo says the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion. Late last month, Ladapo and DeSantis announced new virus policy recommendations that discouraged mask-wearing and directed physicians to exercise their own judgment when treating virus patients, including the use of emerging treatments and off-label medications. The Florida state Senate confirmed Ladapo as surgeon general despite criticism that his virus health policy is too aligned with the anti-lockdown and mandate politics of DeSantis.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that featured a group of doctors who criticized coronavirus lockdowns and mandate policies. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rebuked reports that he admonished a group of mask-wearing students who stood behind him at a news conference in Tampa.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Thursday morning at Florida State University Panama City.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have announced new coronavirus policy recommendations that discourage mask wearing and push physicians to use off-label medications to treat the virus.

Florida-Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo speaks with reporters after the Florida Senate confirmed his appointment as the state's surgeon general on Feb. 23, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Brendan Farrington) (Brendan Farrington)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was confirmed to his position Wednesday, as Senate Republicans approved the nomination of the state's top doctor over criticism that his opposition to coronavirus mandates is too aligned to the politics of Gov. “People have opinions, I know that things have been pretty politically charged, but I want to assure everyone that I’m really passionate about health, good health,” Ladapo told reporters after his confirmation. In one of the hearings, Democrats stormed out of a committee room after saying they weren't getting answers from the surgeon general. The surgeon general, in addition to his coronavirus policies, drew national attention for refusing to wear a mask in the office of state Sen. Tina Polsky, a Democrat who told him she had a serious medical issue. “I guess politics is a component of my role, but I’m not here for the politics, I’m here for health,” Ladapo said Wednesday.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has been officially confirmed to his position.

A 24-15 party-line vote displayed the fissure between the parties on DeSantis’ approach to the pandemic, which downplays vaccines.

Ladapo was confirmed on a party-line vote of 24 to 15, with Democrats saying Ladapo was dangerously unqualified, while Republicans said he was a man who “looked at the facts,” as one senator put it.

Republicans will allow women and girls to have control over their own bodies up to a point. After that, you’re nothing but a “host body.”

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo declined to disclose whether he has received a coronavirus vaccine during a contentious confirmation hearing where Democrats pressed the state’s top doctor to promote the shots.

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo drew more heat Tuesday from Democrats over his views on COVID-19, while landing support from Republicans as his confirmation heads...

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is scheduled Tuesday to go before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee for a confirmation hearing, after facing heavy criticism...

A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state’s health department during a background check, records show.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state's health department during a background check, records show. The supervisor also noted Ladapo's outspoken resistance to various coronavirus mandates, saying Ladapo had “created stress and acrimony” at UCLA. A spokesman for the Florida Department of Health said the unnamed UCLA supervisor’s comments were meant to “smear” Ladapo during his confirmation process. This is not cause for concern,” said health department spokesman Jeremy T. Redfern. He was hired by the University of Florida College of Medicine as he took the job of Florida surgeon general.

Dr. Ladapo Florida Senate Democrats walked out of a hearing on Wednesday following a tense set of questions with Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's surgeon general. (WFTV.com News Staff)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Senate Democrats walked out of a hearing on Wednesday following a tense set of questions with Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general. READ: Florida’s new surgeon general: State will ‘completely reject fear’ on disease mitigationLadapo responded by saying he respects personal choices and decisions. When asked about vaccines, the surgeon general said they have been shown to reduce the most harmful effects of the COVID-19 virus, but added that they do not prevent infection. “I don’t think the point of public health is coercion, it is education and allow people to make choices,” said Ladapo following the hearing.

A Senate committee signs off on the confirmation of controversial state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed the recent decision made to cancel state-run monoclonal sites at a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Miami.

Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a politician by profession, so he easily puts politics above all else, even when it concerns the fight against a virus that has killed 870,000 Americans, including 61,000 of his constituents.“Without a shred of clinical data to support its decision, the Biden Administration has revoked the emergency use authorization for lifesaving monoclonal antibody treatments,” DeSantis tweeted after the FDA’s Monday night

With the continuation of long lines for COVID-19 testing, one local leader is calling on the state to help Osceola County residents.

ORLANDO, Fla. — It will soon be much less expensive to get an at-home COVID-19 test. President Joe Biden’s administration announced Monday night that your insurance will soon cover the cost of some at-home tests. READ: Insurers directed by Biden to cover 8 at-home COVID-19 tests per person per monthBetween three free county-run drive thru sites and one city-run site, people still have been waiting hours to get tested. Many are waiting because they can’t find an at-home test kit or can’t afford to pay for a test. Private and group health plans will begin covering all at-home test kits you find at CVS and Walgreens.

The Florida Department of Health issued new COVID-19 testing guidelines Thursday in an effort to alleviate sites seeing high demand as the omicron variant continues to fuel new cases.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the state will send “up to a million” at-home COVID-19 tests to nursing homes and long-term care facilities this week.

Legislative leaders haven’t made plans to reimpose restrictions on public access that were used during the 2021 session.

Saying that the “federal government is not going to come through” on a plan to distribute at-home coronavirus tests, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said the state is honing its own strategy to send tests to vulnerable Floridians.

Legislative leaders are monitoring the spike in coronavirus cases across Florida but haven’t made plans to reimpose restrictions on public access that were used during...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday held a news conference in Jacksonville, which was delayed by a group of citizens and activists who wanted to question the governor about his pandemic policies, to put more political pressure on the Biden Administration to release more monoclonal antibody treatment doses to Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' solution to massive lines for COVID-19 testing in his state is typical. The governor held a press conference on Monday and...

A health expert said Florida should actually be ramping up testing, rather than cutting back, as the Omicron variant surges across the US.

Tom Brenner/ReutersFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) blamed the Biden administration for COVID-19 woes in his state while accusing other state leaders of allowing “hysteria” to reign as they encourage mitigation measures against the virus that he claimed had little basis in sound science.“In terms of Florida, you look what’s going on in other states, they’re letting hysteria drive them to doing really damaging things. We thought that people had learned,” DeSantis said during his first news conferenc

Infection numbers are surging across Florida, but Gov. Ron DeSantis wants less testing and more business as usual, no new school restrictions.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will host a news conference at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale early Monday. READ: Coronavirus: Total US COVID-19 cases top 55 millionDeSantis’ administration did not say what the news conference will be about. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference on its website. Click here to watch it when it starts.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo accused the Biden administration Tuesday of "actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments" in the United States.

OCALA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be back in Central Florida Friday morning. READ: What you need to know about new express lanes coming to I-4The event will be held at Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference when it begins. READ: Central Florida becoming the Wild West of real estate scamsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

The first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was confirmed in Central Florida.  A patient who had traveled internationally came down with the latest...

Ron DeSantis will make an announcement at a Florida car dealership on Thursday. DeSantis is set to speak at 11:30 a.m. at the Brandon Honda on East Adamo Drive. DeSantis will be joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and Senate President Wilton Simpson. READ: Florida House approves bill that could impose fines for businesses requiring COVID-19 vaccineThe governor’s office did not say what the announcement will be about. On Wednesday, the Florida House approved a bill that could impose fines for businesses requiring a COVID-19 vaccination.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills Thursday at a car dealership in Brandon, Florida, aimed at pushing back against federal COVID-19 mandates.

(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Republicans approved a sweeping bill Wednesday to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses, rejecting claims that they were sacrificing public health to hand Gov. "That’s the entire purpose of this bill, trusting Floridians and allowing us to make that choice for ourselves.”DeSantis, a Republican, called the special legislative session on vaccine mandates as he wages a legal and media campaign against vaccine mandates pushed by Democratic President Joe Biden. The state health department, which is led by Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who opposes mandates, will be tasked with defining standards for the exemptions. Additionally, it bars schools and governments in the state from having vaccine mandates and allows parents to sue schools with masking requirements. Separately, lawmakers passed a bill to stop the state health officer from being able to mandate vaccines during public health emergency.

Florida Republicans have approved a sweeping bill to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses.

Florida Republicans have approved a sweeping bill to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses.

“F- - - off and die.”

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Tuesday defended his decision not to wear a mask when attempting to meet with a state senator who told...

Florida surgeon general shares why he refused lawmaker with cancer's request he wear a mask

Florida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, is now responding days after he was asked to leave a meeting with Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky — who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer — because he refused to wear a mask.

Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson has backed Sen. Tina Polsky, a Boca Raton Democrat who is being treated for breast cancer, after an incident in...

MIAMI — (AP) — Florida’s top health official was asked to leave a meeting after refusing to wear a mask at the office of a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition, officials have confirmed. Polsky told The Associated Press about the tense exchange with state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, which was first reported by the news site Florida Politics. READ: ‘The summer Delta surge in Florida is over,’ Florida Hospital Association CEO saysShe said Ladapo and two aides were offered masks and asked to wear them when they arrived for the Wednesday meeting. She did not tell him she had breast cancer, but said she had a serious condition. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

(AP Photo/Steve Cannon) (Steve Cannon)MIAMI — (AP) — Florida's top health official was asked to leave a meeting after refusing to wear a mask at the office of a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition, officials have confirmed. Polsky, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, had not yet made public her breast cancer diagnosis. Polsky told The Associated Press about the tense exchange with state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo that was first reported by the news site Florida Politics. She said Ladapo and two aides were offered masks and asked to wear them when they arrived for the Wednesday meeting. She said she asked whether there was a reason why he couldn't wear a mask, but he wouldn't answer.

Florida's top health official was asked to leave a meeting after refusing to wear a mask at the office of a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to make an announcement in Clearwater on Thursday morning. The governor will speak at 8:45 a.m. at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office hangar. The governor’s office did not say what the announcement will be about. READ: DeSantis pushes back against federal effort to combat threats against school officials, staffChannel 9 will livestream the news conference when it starts.

Ron DeSantis to hold news conference from Florida’s Space Coast on MondayTITUSVILLE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Titusville on Wednesday holding a news conference at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum. DeSantis is set to speak at 11 a.m. READ: Florida’s property insurance mess cause isn’t being addressed, lawmaker saysStay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Titusville Wednesday morning.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is gearing up for another legal fight with the federal government as President Joe Biden plans to release an executive order that will mandate companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccinations for workers or submit them to weekly COVID-19 testing.

First Lady Casey DeSantis has stepped down as chairwoman of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, four days after it was announced she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the governor’s office said Friday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced Florida parents will now have the choice if they should send their child to school if they were exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Florida’s new surgeon general has signed new protocols allowing parents to decide whether their children should quarantine or stay in school if they are asymptomatic after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.