Orlando Health’s plans to build a free-standing emergency room and eventually a hospital, hotel and other amenities at the southeast corner of the Polk Parkway and Lakeland Highlands Road has garnered first-round approval in a months-long process.
Author Archives: Marilyn Meyer
Posted inHealth
Rep. Soto Pushes for More Coronavirus Testing
U.S. Rep. Darren Soto said he is disappointed by neighboring Georgia starting to ease its COVID-19 shutdown before health officials are recommending it. Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee, made the comments to about 30 members and guests of the African American Chamber of Commerce Polk County during a Zoom teleconference this afternoon.
Posted inHealth
With 40 COVID-19 Patients in Its Beds So Far, Lakeland Regional Has Room for Many More, Official Says
With COVID-19 expected to peak in Polk County in a week or two, Lakeland Regional Health has plenty of capacity to add more patients, Dr. Daniel Haight told a teleconference gathering of community leaders today.
Posted inHealth
Expect Social Distancing to Last Several Weeks or Months, Health Department Director Says
Expect to continue social distancing for at least three to four weeks and maybe a few months, Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk County, told city commissioners on Thursday.
Posted inHealth, Social Services
Local Agencies Respond to Pandemic Demands Amid Funding Drops
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit social service agencies in Polk County with a big challenge: At a time when demand for their services is way up, they’re seeing major drops in donations.
Posted inHealth
Lakeland Regional Preps for Up to 1,000 COVID-19 Patients
Lakeland Regional Health is gearing up to treat up to 1,000 COVID-19 in-patients a day when the virus reaches its peak in three to four weeks, a hospital official told the City Commission on Monday afternoon.
Posted inHealth
Watson Clinic Initiates Online Video Consultations
Watson Clinic has initiated online video consultations for patients who are trying to maintain social distance or self-isolate in response to the novel coronavirus.
Posted inCity Hall, Public Safety
Commissioners Question Staff on Building Sprinkler Regulations
A city staff proposal to reword a fire-safety ordinance on sprinklers met a firewall of commissioner opposition Friday morning. After a lengthy discussion about cost impediments the city may be erecting that prevent renovations to historic downtown buildings, commissioners decided to delay acting until staff provides more information.
Posted inHealth
Medicare Gives Lakeland Regional a One-Star Rating
The latest Hospital Compare ratings from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services again give Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center one star out of five, placing it among the bottom 5 percent of hospitals nationwide.
Posted inNeighborhoods, Social Services
City Set to Approve Affordable Housing Land Bank Program
City commissioners are expected to approve an affordable housing plan Monday that encourages building homes on vacant city-owned lots and selling them to residents who have very-low to moderate incomes.