Close Menu
The Westside GazetteThe Westside Gazette
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • Political Rate Sheet
    • Links
      • NNPA Links
      • Archives
    • SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Westside GazetteThe Westside Gazette
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
    • News
      • National
      • Local
      • International
      • Business
      • Releases
    • Entertainment
      • Photo Gallery
      • Arts
    • Politics
    • OP-ED
      • Opinions
      • Editorials
      • Black History
    • Lifestyle
      • Health
      • HIV/AIDS Supplements
      • Advice
      • Religion
      • Obituaries
    • Sports
      • Local
      • National Sports
    • Podcast and Livestreams
      • Just A Lil Bit
      • Two Minute Warning Series
    The Westside GazetteThe Westside Gazette
    You are at:Home » Settlement Reached on COVID-19 Data
    Health

    Settlement Reached on COVID-19 Data

    October 12, 20232 Mins Read10 Views
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email
    Advertisement

    After a two-year fight, the Florida Department of Health will release more data about COVID-19 and pay $152,500 in legal fees and costs, according to a settlement released Monday by plaintiffs in the case. The settlement will require the department to post weekly data about vaccination counts, case counts and deaths by county, age group, gender, and race. The Florida Center for Government Accountability and state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, filed a lawsuit Aug. 30, 2021, and alleged that the department violated the state’s public-records law by turning down requests for daily COVID-19 data.

    The lawsuit was later joined by several media organizations. The plaintiffs, in part, sought data that would provide county and demographic information about COVID-19 cases. Department of Health attorneys contended that the data was shielded by a state law that says epidemiological information is confidential and exempt from the public-records law and is “to be made public only when necessary to public health.” They also pointed to a department rule carrying out the law about confidentiality. The department issued daily COVID-19 reports until June 2021 but then shifted to posting weekly information that was less detailed. It then moved to posting information every other week.

    Smith and the non-profit Florida Center for Government Accountability made public-records requests in July 2021 and August 2021 seeking daily information about COVID-19 cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccinations. They filed the lawsuit after the department denied the requests. The $152,500 included in the settlement will go to plaintiffs’ “attorneys’ fees, costs, or any other form of monetary relief to which the plaintiffs may claim entitlement.” The settlement had not been posted Monday afternoon on the Leon County circuit court website.

     

    500 included in the settlement will go to plaintiffs’ “attorneys’ fees and vaccinations. They filed the lawsuit after the department denied the requests. The $152 costs deaths hospitalizations or any other form of monetary relief to which the plaintiffs may claim entitlement.” The settlement had not been posted Monday afternoon on the Leon County circuit court website. positivity rates Smith and the non-profit Florida Center for Government Accountability made public-records requests in July 2021 and August 2021 seeking daily information about COVID-19 cases
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Telegram Email
    Carma Henry

    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

    Related Posts

    Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

    October 1, 2025

    Hidden plastic Myriad daily life sources harming your health

    October 1, 2025

    Sickle Cell Disease Pain Front and Center at Summit for Warriors, HCPs

    October 1, 2025
    Advertisement

    View Our E-Editon

    Advertisement

    –>

    advertisement

    Advertisement

    –>

    The Westside Gazette
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    © 2025 The Westside Gazette - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Go to mobile version