The Florida Times-Union
5:30 p.m. | Colorado confirms first known US case of new COVID-19 strain believed to be more contagious
Colorado has confirmed the first known U.S. case of a new coronavirus strain that was first identified in the United Kingdom. Today we discovered Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the U.K., Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said on Twitter Tuesday afternoon. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely. | Read more
5 p.m. | Florida COVID-19 deaths rise by 105; state positivity soars to record high
The Florida Times-Union
Florida reports 99 more COVID-19 deaths, 7 in region
State officials added 99 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic and Northeast Florida counted seven more COVID-19 fatalities, as Florida s positivity rate in testing climbed to its highest level for more than four months.
The Florida Department of Health increased its official COVID-19 death toll to 21,613 in its daily report, including 21,308 residents of the state.
Northeast Florida accounted for seven of the additional deaths five in Duval County and two in Putnam County. To date, 1,190 residents of the region have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in Florida. | Read more
It’s time to address the shadow pandemic of intimate partner violence
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to surge through the nation, a concerning “shadow pandemic” is quietly growing as well. Many cities and states, including Chicago, are reinstituting stay-at-home advisories and orders to protect communities from COVID-19. Unfortunately, an unintended consequence has been the increase in intimate partner violence (IPV). With the tightening of stay-at-home regulations, the health care system cannot overlook those suffering behind closed doors.
IPV includes physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and stalking. IPV can affect anyone and is one of the leading causes of homicide in women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, homes have become an even more dangerous place for individuals experiencing IPV. They have to spend the whole day at home with little access to outside support or childcare services, and stressors in the home are exacerbated due to social isolation,