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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Hospitalizations on the rise in Florida as COVID-19 cases continue to be reported
The Florida Department of Health released new data on Florida’s fight against COVID-19. As of Wednesday’s report, over 858,000 people have contracted the disease since March. The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Florida hospitals shows continued signs of an upswing in the past couple of weeks. [Source: Click Orlando]
Expect short-term rentals in Florida to rise during the winter months
While this year has undoubtedly been the least traveled year since the inception of commercial flight (probably), there has been a boom in the real estate market in the Sunshine State, one that many never expected. Along with the spike in homeownership in the state due to the demand for work from home, rental properties have also seen a record spike, especially in the slower months like September. [Source: Florida Insider]
Report: Florida’s coral reefs among most damaged in U.S.
A new report sounds an alarm on challenges with the nation’s ecosystem including a major decline in coral reefs around Florida. According to a study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and The University of Maryland, the reefs off heavily populated Florida are among the most damaged, with as little as 2% of the coral reefs remaining. [Source: CBS Miami]
Future of business travel unclear as virus upends work life
Partner account executive Brian Contreras was used to traveling frequently for his company. But nine months into the pandemic, he and thousands of others are working from home and dialing into video conferences instead of boarding planes. That trend could spell big trouble for hotels, airlines, convention centers and other industries that rely so heavily on business travelers like Contreras. [Source: Florida Politics]
Higher Ed goes ACT/SAT-optional due to COVID-19 – but not in Florida
As the pandemic has made it difficult for students to take SAT or ACT tests, colleges and universities across the country have waived the requirement for admissions. However, the state of Florida has resisted relaxing the rules. The effects on its school system are clear. Fall applications to all 12 campuses within the Florida state university system are way down, up to 50 percent of last year. [Source: The College Post]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Brevard County commissioners narrowly approve 40 arts, cultural grants
Forty local arts and cultural organizations will be splitting up $175,000 in grants, after the plan was narrowly approved by the Brevard County Commission.
› Florida health experts urge caution to prevent 'Twindemic' of flu and COVID-19
Some health experts are warning of a "twindemic" as winter approaches with the flu spreading at the same time as the coronavirus.
› Coronavirus keeping Canadian tourists away this winter
Canadian tourists will not be coming down to Palm Beach County this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and that spells bad news for businesses that rely on the dollars these winter visitors spend on everything from restaurants to real estate.
› UCF hospitality students worry for careers as tourism world is ‘turned upside down’ by COVID-19
Corey Clancy seemed to be doing all the right things: Taking classes at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management in the I-4 tourism corridor and working part-time at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort on the side. Then the coronavirus pandemic struck.
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