COVID-19 vaccinations began nationwide Monday, and in Tampa the first vaccination at Tampa General Hospital went to registered nurse Vanessa Arroyo. The first round of vaccinations will go to 100,00 front-line workers in Florida hospitals. Florida will have a total of 180,000 doses, with tens of thousands of those headed for CVS and Walgreens pharmacies that have an agreement with the government to vaccinate residents and workers at long-term care facilities. Those will be available later this month.

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement is making visits to business’s to check for compliance with the mask mandate, cleaning procedures and social distancing. They haven’t issued any citations, it’s more of a proactive attempt to curb the rise in cases since the Thanksgiving holiday.

Florida added another 8,452 COVID-19 Monday, with the state total now at 1,134,383, with 20,003 Floridians total dying from the virus. More information from the Florida Department of Health, the COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 be calling 1-866-779-6121. You can also reach them by email at covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. BayCare is offering rapid result tests at nine Urgent Care Centers for asymptomatic individuals. This is one you’ll have to pay for up front at $150 and can make an online appointment for on the BayCare web site. The newest locations for free, drive through shots are at five Hillsborough County school locations which will require a reservation. You can take care of that by calling 813-307-8085 Monday through Friday from 8-5 pm. Other Free COVID-19 tests are available in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. For more please check in with us daily here.

You can still get a good look at the Geminid meteor shower. The peak of the annual shower was Sunday night and Monday morning, but you may be able to see it through Thursday. We have some of the photos from people across the US here, including one from Lakeland.

The Bucs managed a win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday 26-14 as Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns. The Bucs now go on the road to Atlanta for the first of two games Sunday at 1 pm. After that it’s the Detroit Lions on the 26th, then back to Atlanta for the final regular season game on January 3rd.

Cox Media Group