COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that is caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in 2019.

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The Florida Department of Health works alongside the Attorney General to ensure Floridians are protected from losing their jobs, denied access and services from, businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions due to vaccine, COVID-19 testing, or mask mandates, and to protect individuals’ rights to make their own health care choices.

Transmission

The virus is primarily transmitted from person to person through droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. Less often, a person might become infected with COVID-19 by touching a surface or object contaminated with COVID-19 virus and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose.

Symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Common COVID-19 include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
Treatment

If you are sick with COVID-19, stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms that do not require medical treatment.

  • Do not share cups and eating utensils
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Get plenty of rest
Prevention

To protect yourself and others from respiratory illness, follow these five essential steps:

  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
  2. Avoid close contact with sick individuals, including handshakes and touching
  3. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  4. Stay home when you are sick, and ensure that sick children stay home as well
  5. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. If you don’t have a tissue, use your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands
COVID-19 Data

Florida’s COVID-19 data is posted weekly on CHARTS, alongside all other public health data.

View COVID Data on Florida CHARTS
News
DateAnnouncement
Sept. 13, 2023Guidance for COVID-19 Boosters | Español
Oct. 07, 2022Guidance for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
March 08, 2022Guidance for Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines
Feb. 24, 2022COVID-19 (1): COVID-19 Guidance
Feb. 24, 2022COVID-19 (2): COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care Facilities
Jan. 06, 2022Testing Guidance for COVID-19
Dec. 28, 2021Florida to HHS
Sept. 22, 2021Notice of Emergency Rule —Protocols for Controlling COVID-19 in School Settings
Sept. 22, 2021Regeneron Standing Order
June 18, 2021Florida Department of Health Emergency Order (Extension)
May 17, 2021Emergency Rule Adoption – 64DER21-8: Diseases or Conditions to be Reported
May 17, 2021Emergency Rule Adoption – 64JER21-7: Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines
April 29, 2021Public Health Advisory – Surgeon General Issues Public Health Advisory Rescinding Previously Issued Advisories, Expanding Vaccine Eligibility, and Encouraging the Resumption of In-Person Government Operations and Services Statewide
March 31, 2021Florida Department of Health Emergency Order– DOH No. 20-001 (Extension)
March 17, 2021Emergency Rule Adoption – 64DER21-5: Vaccine Redistribution Requirements
March 15, 2021Emergency Rule Adoption – 64DER21-4: Vaccine Reporting Requirements
March 02, 2021Notice of Emergency Rule – 64DER21-3: Physician Determination of Extremely Vulnerable Persons of COVID-19 Vaccination
Feb. 19, 2021Florida Department of Health – Renewal of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
Feb. 18, 2021Florida Department of State — Renewal of Adoption Emergency Rule 64DER21-2
Feb. 16, 2021Florida Department of State — Adoption Emergency Rule 64JER21-1
Jan. 21, 2021Florida Department of Health – Public Health Advisory – Prioritization of Floridians for COVID-19 Vaccinations Given in Florida
Dec. 23, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-015
Dec. 22, 2020Florida Department of Health – Renewal of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
Dec. 17, 2020Emergency Rule Adoption – 64DER20-44
Dec. 14, 2020Notice of Emergency Rule – 64DER20-43: Vaccine Reporting Requirements
Oct. 23, 2020Florida Department of Health – Renewal of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
Oct. 01, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-014 re: Suspension of Statutes, Rules and Orders Made Necessary by COVID-19.
Sept. 11, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-013 re: Suspension of Statutes, Rules And Orders, Made Necessary by COVID-19.
Aug. 28, 2020Florida Department of Health Renewal of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
July 21, 2020Florida Department of Health – Public Health Advisory
June 30, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-011 re: Suspension of Statutes, Rules And Orders, Made Necessary by COVID-19.
June 22, 2020Florida Department of Health – Public Health Advisory
May 31, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH Emergency Order 20-010
May 30, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH Emergency Order 20-009 (extending 20-001 and 20-002)
May 28, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-008 re: Suspension of Statutes, Rules And Orders, Made Necessary by COVID-19.
May 09, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-007 re: Extending 20-001 and 20-002
April 24, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-006 re: Extension of Suspension of Statutes, Rules, and Orders, Made Necessary by COVID-19
April 21, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-005 re: Extends all provisions of 20-003
April 15, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-004 re: Extends all provisions of 20-002
March 25, 2020Public Health Advisory for COVID-19 as a result of Executive Order 20-83 re: Protective Measures For Vulnerable Populations, Gatherings Of Private Citizens And Density Of The Workforce
March 21, 2020Suspension Of Statutes, Rules and DOH No. 20-003 Orders, Made Necessary by COVID-19
March 16, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency – DOH No. 20-002
March 10, 2020Florida Department of Health Emergency Order– DOH No. 20-001
March 01, 2020Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency
State Surgeon General Guidance and Vaccination

guidance from State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo regarding COVID-19 vaccines