Florida's Department of Health has agreed to release previously withheld COVID-19 data as part of a settlement with a government watchdog group. Additionally, the department has agreed to publish detailed COVID-19 data on its website for the next 3 years.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health has agreed to release withheld detailed COVID-19 data as part of awith the Florida Center for Government Accountability and former Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith. The announcement was made on Monday, bringing an end to a two-year legal battle over stopping the information on the virus’ spread online.
In August 2021, FLCGA and Smith filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Health over the refusal to release public records. Several news outlets and First Amendment advocacy organizations offered their support by signing a motion in favor of the lawsuit. However, in March 2023, they were compelled to release the records following an appellate court order.
“The department LIED about the existence of these public records in court and did everything to restrict information and downplay the threat of COVID even while the Delta variant ripped through Florida — a decision that cost many lives,”Following the release of the records, FLCGA and Smith deemed them sufficient to fulfill the July 2021 records requests, leading to the settlement. Notably, Ladapo and the Florida Department of Health did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
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