ORLANDO, Fla. — See our nightly coverage below:
This browser does not support the video element.
Read live updates:
BLOG EN ESPAÑOL: ÚLTIMA HORA, CORONAVIRUS, 16 abril
9:30 p.m. update
Drive-thru testing could soon be coming to Florida pharmacies. See the full story here.
6:50 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he has spoken with President Trump about reopening business, but he didn’t give a timeline or date of when that might happen.
DeSantis said he will meet with his newly created task force Friday to discuss re-opening the economy.
We understand what’s going on with the economy now. We hope it’s short term, but clearly this is not something that if you just look hard enough, you’re just all of the sudden going to find a new job,” DeSantis said.
This browser does not support the video element.
6:15 p.m. update
Positive coronavirus cases in Florida hit 23,340 Thursday evening, up from the 22,897 reported in the morning, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Of the cases in Florida, 22,674 are Florida residents.
There have been 668 coronavirus-related deaths in Florida as of Thursday. There were two additional reported deaths in Orange County, bringing the death toll in Orange County to 21; one additional death in Seminole County for a total of three; one additional death in Volusia County, bringing it to nine and one additional death in Polk County, bringing it to 11.
Here is a county breakdown of cases in Central Florida:
Orange: 1,114 (1,089 this morning)
Seminole: 306 (300 this morning)
Brevard: 192 (187 this morning)
Osceola: 384 (367 this morning)
Lake: 186 (184 this morning)
Marion: 112 (107 this morning)
Flagler: 50 (46 this morning)
Polk: 304 (293 this morning)
No change in cases:
Volusia: 255
Sumter: 117
This browser does not support the video element.
5 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis is providing an update on unemployment in Florida as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch his news conference below:
4:45 p.m. update
Lake County drive-thru testing starts Friday
Lake County’s first drive-thru testing site will open Friday at the Adult Medicine of Lake County facility on Lake Center Drive in Mount Dora.
The site will test people with or without symptoms. A nasal swab will be administered and results will be released in three days.
Staff at the Adult Medicine of Lake County facility said they will be offering testing Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there will also be limited testing on Saturday. Getting the test will cost around $85.
See the full coverage below:
This browser does not support the video element.
12:35 p.m. update:
Local USPS worker test positive to COVID-19
The U.S. Postal Service says two employees at the Winter Park Post Office
10:45 a.m. update:
Health officials report 378 new coronavirus cases, 19 deaths overnight in Florida
The Florida Department of Health reported 378 new cases of the coronavirus in the state from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, as well as 19 additional deaths.
That brings the total number of cases in the state to 22,897 with a total of 633 deaths.
None of the most recently reported deaths were in Central Florida.
Below is a breakdown of the latest case numbers county by county:
NEW CASES:
Orange: 1,089 (1,072 Wednesday night)
Seminole: 300 (284 Wednesday night)
Volusia: 255 (243 Wednesday night)
Brevard: 187 (173 Wednesday night)
Osceola: 367 (361 Wednesday night)
Lake: 189 (180 Wednesday night)
Sumter: 117 (114 Wednesday night)
Marion: 107 (106 Wednesday night)
Polk: 293 (287 Wednesday night)
NO CHANGE:
Flagler: 46
BLOG EN ESPAÑOL: ÚLTIMA HORA, CORONAVIRUS, 16 abril
10:02 a.m. update:
Ormond Beach extends event closures
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Ormond Beach has extended the date of closures for all city-sponsored athletics and any public or private events and activities at city facilities to May 8.
9:10 a.m. update:
Tennis star donates masks to Palm Coast grocery store workers
Tennis star Reilly Opelka, who grew up in Palm Coast, has donated 300 masks to grocery store workers throughout the city this week, according to a release.
“Reilly is a shining example of what we all can strive to be in these most challenging times,” said Mayor Milissa Holland.
8:12 a.m. update:
Lake County to open drive-thru testing site
Lake County will be the latest county in Central Florida to open a coronavirus testing site.
The site, located at 3619 Lake Center Drive in Mount Dora, will open Friday with an $85 cost for anyone that wants to be tested.
Read: Publix to offer extended hours for hospital staff, first responders
7:04 a.m. update:
Ocala to hold virtual town hall meeting
Ocala officials will hold a virtual town hall meeting at 6 p.m. to answer some of the community’s questions regarding the pandemic.
5:39 a.m. update:
City of Deltona to update residents on COVID-19
Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg will conduct a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide updates on the city’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The press conference is slated for 3 p.m.
Read: Coronavirus: Where COVID-19 testing is available in Central Florida
4:22 a.m. update:
Updated cases in Central Florida
Health officials reported 23 coronavirus-related deaths and 438 new cases statewide since Wednesday.
The Florida Department of Health said the total number of cases in Florida has reached 22,519.
They said the death toll stands at 614.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
Of the cases, 21,865 involve Florida residents and 654 involve nonresidents.
Orange County has the highest amount of cases in Central Florida, with 1,072 cases.
This browser does not support the video element.
Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.