Connect with us

Florida

Florida pharmacies to help fight HIV epidemic

Published

on

Florida pharmacies to help fight HIV epidemic


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the country. Starting this summer, a new law will make it easier to get treated before someone is infected.

“We know PEP access and expanding that access is a critical component to ending the HIV epidemic in Florida,” Equality Florida Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer said.

Nearly 125,000 people across Florida are living with HIV, according to the state health department. Under a new law, pharmacists will be able to screen someone who might have been exposed to HIV and offer prevention medication. This method of treatment, often known as PEP, is effective at preventing HIV if taken within 72 hours of exposure.

“We know how difficult it can be for folks to get into care, to find a primary physician who’s taking new patients. Let alone one who has expertise in PEP and HIV issues,” Maurer said.

Advertisement

Thousands of pharmacies across the state are already part of an agreement that will help expand access to care.

“This is an emergency situation that people aren’t aware of so educating the public is going to be very important in this process,” Florida Retail Federation Vice President of Government Affairs Angela Bonds said.

Rep. Gallop Franklin, (D) Tallahassee, said offering this service at neighborhood pharmacies helps the entire community.

“It helps them live longer productive lives, brings down the burden of the entire health care system, and people can still enjoy life and live a long time without fear of contracting a disease,” Rep. Franklin said.

Pharmacists will be able to start screening for HIV and begin this treatment when the law takes effect on July 1. Primary care doctors still handle preventative medications known as PrEP.

Advertisement



Source link

Florida

Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold named in Florida court filing

Published

on

Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold named in Florida court filing


Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was named in a Florida court order that is connected to a robbery and kidnapping case. Court records show that the robbery and kidnapping were allegedly orchestrated by 23-year-old Boakai Hilton, by an associate of Arnold, in retaliation for two robberies that happened at an Airbnb Arnold was renting in Largo.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Video: Injured Florida manatee rescued by authorities, receiving medical care at ZooTampa

Published

on

Video: Injured Florida manatee rescued by authorities, receiving medical care at ZooTampa


An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.

What we know:

Advertisement

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.

READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD

Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.

Advertisement

Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.

Advertisement

What we don’t know:

LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.

By the numbers:

Advertisement

As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.

Dig deeper:

Advertisement

Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.

READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week

The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.

Advertisement

The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

FloridaManateesZooTampa



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Florida

Cuba says 4 killed after speedboat from Florida opened fire in Cuban waters

Published

on

Cuba says 4 killed after speedboat from Florida opened fire in Cuban waters


play

HAVANA (Reuters) – Four people were killed and seven others were wounded on Feb. 25 after a speedboat from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban forces, who returned fire, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said.

All four dead were aboard the Florida-based speedboat, and another six were injured, Cuba said. In addition, the Cuban commander of border patrol boat was wounded, Cuba said.

Advertisement

The wounded foreign attackers were evacuated and received medical attention, Cuba said.

The incident took place amid heightened tension between Cuba and the United States, which has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power.

“Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” the Cuban statement said.

Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending