FL COVID Update (1/6): The number of COVID+ hospitalizations is down 73% since the July peak (2/6): The number of COVID+ patients hospitalized in the ICU is down 65% from the July peak

FL COVID Update:

1) The number of COVID+ patients currently hospitalized is down more than 70% since July 2) Hospitalized COVID+ patients represent less than 5% of total licensed beds in FL

Florida COVID-19 update (1/8): The number of COVID-positive patients currently hospitalized is down nearly 60% since the July peak (2/8): The number of COVID-positive patients in the ICU is down 52% since the July peak

Florida COVID Update (1/6): The number of COVID-positive patients hospitalized is down more than 50% in the past month (2/6): Yesterday (8/23), saw the lowest number of COVID-positive hospital admissions since June 18th

Positive rate for diagnostic tests reported on 8/20: 6.79% (lowest since 6/14). Positive rate for antibody testing for 8/20 at state drive thru sites: 23.8%. COVID positive hospital census down 233 patients over the past 24 hours. This is the lowest number of patients since July 3rd.

FL COVID-19 Update (1/5): Antibody testing from FL’s drive thru sites has ranged from 20.3% to 26.8% positive over the past 5 days. Diagnostic PCR tests have come back positive at a rate of 8.22% or less over the past 5 days on a statewide basis. (2/5): Point-of-care diagnostic testing at the Hard Rock Stadium site in Miami-Dade has seen a positivity range between 6.28% and 10% over the past week.

FL COVID-19 update (1/5):

Florida is reporting the lowest # of cases – 2,760 – since mid-June (2/5): Emergency Room visits for COVID-like illness are down more than 60% from July 7th

Today I signed Florida's state budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21. As Governor, I must ensure our state remains on a strong fiscal foundation during #COVID19. To that end, I vetoed $1 billion of the $93.2 billion state budget previously approved by lawmakers. These were not easy decisions and $550 million represent cuts from my own budget recommendations.

Florida's plan against #COVID19 includes a focus on protecting the vulnerable ⬇️ It's important to understand which groups are most at risk to #COVID19

Florida is opening 5 new walk-up testing sites this week. These sites support underserved communities and can test 200 individuals per day.

Find a site near you: floridadisaster.org/covid19/testin… There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m pleased to report that 97.6% of eligible applicants have been paid their reemployment claims by @FLDEO.

Here’s the math ⬇️

It brings me great satisfaction to report on the promising prospects of our public affairs and to commend the members of the House and Senate for your efforts to make Florida successful. In 2019, we took bold steps to expand educational opportunities, protect our environment and natural resources, reform health care, invest in infrastructure and bolster public safety – all while reducing taxes and adding to our budget reserves.

2019 was an incredible year for Florida. We have achieved historic accomplishments that are of the utmost importance to Floridians and will bring our state to the next level. In conjunction with the Florida Legislature and our federal, state and local partners, we were able to secure major successes for the environment, education, hurricane recovery, economic development, public safety, military, health care and much more - bit.ly/376AK2b

Today I was joined by @HHSGov @SecAzar and @HHS_ASH Dr. Brett Giroir to announce the advancement of the Trump Administration’s plan to allow for safe and affordable prescription drug importation from Canada to multiple states, including Florida. .@HHSGov published the first draft of the rule for the plan, which can be found here - bit.ly/35C74ts.

The high costs & lack of access to affordable prescription drugs have plagued Floridians for too long, & today’s announcement is a historic step towards a solution.

We are praying hard for the victims and families impacted by today’s shooting at @NASPCOLA. As a Navy veteran, today hits especially close to home. @NASPCOLA is a special place and these brave warriors come here for flight training to protect and serve our great nation. The response we saw from the deputies at @ECSONews and active personnel responding to the scene is commendable and lives were saved because of the bravery of those wearing the uniform of the @USNavy and LEOs, including from those who were wounded and still helped others.

Today, I am pleased to announce my budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. The Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget of $91.4 billion represents a decrease in per capita spending and an increase in our state reserves. To relieve Floridians’ tax burden, my budget proposes over $312 million in tax relief. This includes a $56 million 8-day Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, a $9 million 10-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday and property tax relief of $247.3 million.

On my second full day in office I signed Executive Order 19-12 in which I committed to securing $2.5 billion over four years for Everglades restoration and the protection of our water resources – a $1 billion increase over the previous four years. With the help of the Florida Legislature, my first budget as Governor included well over $625 million for the Everglades and water, a historic level of funding and a significant step toward my $2.5 billion goal.

Although Florida was spared from the worst of hurricane #Dorian, we know that our neighbors in the Bahamas bore the brunt of the storm. Today, I’m proud to announce our state is partnering with @insideFPL to assist those in need in the Bahamas by donating 590,000 bottles of water.

As Hurricane #Dorian approached, the hardworking men and women of the State of Florida answered the call, and I commend them for their efforts to ensure communities were prepared. Floridians across the state can rest assured knowing that those working for them are competent, efficient and ready to face any emergency situation head on. Details here - bit.ly/2k4o6xL

When I took office, I wanted to ensure that we would present a bold budget to Floridians that is both aspirational and attainable. I am pleased that we have accomplished this goal with the Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget. The budget supports major reforms to ensure the protection of our environment, investing more than $625 million for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources, including $100 million for springs restoration and $50 million for targeted water quality improvements.

This historic mission has been the prelude to future prosperity and partnership between Florida and Israel. This week, we established an unprecedented number of alliances in science, business and academia. We affirmed our solidarity with Israelis and resolved to give no quarter to anti-Semitism. Returning to Florida, we bring with us prospects for investment, high-wage jobs, water conservation and innovative ideas to keep our schools and communities safe.

As the 2019 Legislative Session comes to an end, I’d like to thank Senate President @BillGalvano and House Speaker @RepJoseOliva for working with me to achieve unprecedented victories for Floridians across our great state.