ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates below:
Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre con la pandemia en Florida Central, 4 mayo
See our in-depth coverage below:
Businesses across Central Florida saw varying degrees of success as they began to reopen with strict guidelines on Monday.
See our full coverage below:
DeSantis gives update on state unemployment system
6 p.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update on the state’s unemployment system, which has been plagued with issues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE <<<
Click here to watch the news conference live.
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.
10% of COVID-19 patients in Orange County were asymptomatic
5 p.m. update
Dr. Raul Pino, the state health department’s health officer for Orange County, said 10% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the county showed no symptoms of the virus.
He said the county’s most recent death was that of an 83-year-old woman who was asymptomatic.
Pino also said that 93% of those who have tested positive for the virus in the county have fully recovered.
Watch the full news conference below:
Big news. 93% of #COVIDー19 cases in @OrangeCoFL have recovered. Live on @WFTV now. pic.twitter.com/FWxyeQgd7x
— greg warmoth wftv (@GWarmothWFTV) May 4, 2020
Dr Pino with health dept says 10% of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Orange County had NO symptoms. Live briefing right now on Channel 9 pic.twitter.com/zsWzhO3tM6
— Vanessa Echols (@VEcholsWFTV) May 4, 2020
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.
Governor could let hair salons, barbershops reopen this week, mayor says
4:25 p.m. update
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told him he is considering allowing hair salons and barber shops to reopen and that he will get back to him with a decision early this week.
>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE <<<
Demings had previously wrote a letter to the governor requesting that those businesses be allowed to reopen.
Read: Winter Park to host socially distant Mother’s Day shopping, dining experience on Park Avenue
The two officials met with those in the industry over the weekend at a hair salon in Orlovista.
Demings said he is hopeful that DeSantis will allow hair salons and barbershops to reopen as soon as Friday.
Read: Building emotional strength and resilience: 21 questions to ask yourself and others
So far, the county has reported 1,438 positive cases of COVID-19 and 35 coronavirus-related deaths.
Demings said 29,000 people in the county have been tested for the virus so far and that the rates of positive testing have declined in the past two days.
Click here to watch the news conference live.
🧡 #407Dates: Support local restaurants and connect through new online events, dinner deals and cooking kits: https://t.co/AXscNGb0d8. @VisitOrlando pic.twitter.com/e9M8j8zkDT
— Orange County FL (@OrangeCoFL) May 4, 2020
Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre con la pandemia en Florida Central, 4 mayo
AAA says gas prices leveling off in Florida
3 p.m. update
AAA released a report Monday showing the falling gas prices in Florida are starting stabilize.
The organization said the average gas price in Florida is $1.76, down 2 cents from the week before.
Experts predict the demand for gas will start to go up the state continues Phase 1 of its reopening.
Read: Reopening Florida: What is reopening on Monday?
Officials said it’s still unclear when the gas prices will hit their lowest point, but it’s possible within the next few weeks.
Some graduating seniors to drive across the finish line
2 p.m. update
School officials said graduates at two Central Florida high schools will not be taking the traditional walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Instead, they will drive across the finish line at the Daytona International Speedway on May 31.
Read: May the fourth be with you: 9 facts to celebrate Star Wars Day
The Flagler County School District announced Matanzas High will graduate at 11 a.m. followed by Flagler-Palm Coast High at 4 p.m.
Each graduate will be allowed one car.
The ceremony will be simulcast via radio inside the speedway and will be livestreamed on the district’s website.
The schools were originally scheduled to graduate on May 28.
Read: Celebs give virtual graduation speeches; seniors to #GraduateTogether May 16
Amazon donates $100K to Feeding Florida
1 p.m. update
Amazon announce Monday that it is donation $100,000 to Feeding Florida, a partner of Feeding America.
The donation will be used to feed thousands of families around the state, officials said.
“Amazon is committed to supporting Floridians year-round, but especially during times of need,” said Rob Packett, with Amazon, in a press release. “We’re honored to team up with Feeding Florida to do our part in making sure that Floridians have access to the food essentials needed to make it through these challenging times.”
To learn more about how Feeding Florida is responding to the pandemic, visit www.feedingflorida.org.
Dyer announces plan to help small businesses
11:55 a.m. update
The city of Orlando said it is trying to make it easier for small businesses to open and attract customers during the first phase of the governor’s reopening plan.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a series of changes to the city code Monday morning.
Small businesses will be allowed to expand operations outdoors to places such as private parking lots.
Read: Reopening Florida: What is reopening on Monday?
They will also be allowed to use extra signs and banners to attract customers.
Those measures went into effect Monday.
Read: Coronavirus: Carnival Cruise Line announces plan to restart voyages Aug. 1
The Orlando City Council will vote next week to allow businesses to expand onto city property, such as sidewalks.
“We will also vote to suspend the need to obtain any permits or pay any fees to take advantage of these new programs, which will be available until Sept. 1, 2020,” Dyer said.
Click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of Florida’s reopening on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon.
Florida reports 819 new COVID-19 cases, 20 deaths since Sunday
10:35 a.m. update
Florida health officials reported 819 new cases of COVID-19 and 20 additional deaths in the state since Sunday. None of the most recently reported deaths were in Central Florida.
The state’s death toll is now at 1,399 with a total number of 36,897 cases.
See the latest case numbers county by county below:
NEW CASES:
Orange: 1,438 (1,434 yesterday)
Seminole: 396 (394 yesterday)
Volusia: 514 (513 yesterday)
Brevard: 310 (308 yesterday)
Osceola: 516 (509 yesterday)
Lake: 235 (234 yesterday)
Sumter: 233 (226 yesterday)
Polk: 536 (523 yesterday)
NO CHANGE:
Marion: 184
Flagler: 140
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.
Mayor Dyer to announce changes to help local businesses during reopening
9:17 a.m. update
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is set to announce proposals to the city code to further assist local businesses operate under the new guidelines of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan.
The changes are expected to go into effect immediately and will be announced at an 11:00 a.m. press conference.
>>>Watch the briefing LIVE here<<<
City of Deltona to update residents on COVID-19
8:49 a.m. update
Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg will conduct a press conference at 3:00 p.m. to provide updates regarding the city’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The press conference can be viewed here.
Coronavirus: Florida man arrested after camping at Disney’s Discovery Island
Osceola County to hold COVID-19 update
7:45 a.m. update
Osceola county officials will hold a 9 a.m. press conference to update residents on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional information on the agenda can be found here.
COVID-19 testing site to open in Orlando Walmart parking lot
6:46 a.m. update
Officials said a new appointment-only COVID-19 testing site is set to open today at the parking lot of the Walmart at 5991 Goldenrod Road.
The site will operate from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Our appointment-only COVID-19 testing site for healthcare providers, first responders & those exhibiting symptoms opens 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮.
— City of Orlando (@citybeautiful) May 4, 2020
📍: Walmart parking lot at 5991 Goldenrod Road
⌚: M-Sat, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
More info + make appointment:
Health care providers, first responders and those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be able to be tested at this site.
Read: Restaurants, retailers prep for reopening around Central Florida amid pandemic
Most of Florida set for phase 1 of reopening plan
4:23 a.m. update
Most of Florida is set to reopen Monday after Gov. Ron DeSantis gave clearance for a phase one of a three-phase reopening plan last week.
DeSantis said phase one means elective surgeries can resume, and restaurants can do outdoor seating with 6 feet between tables and 25% capacity indoors with 6-foot spacing.
Read: Reopening Florida: What is reopening on Monday?
He said retail can reopen as well with 25% capacity.
Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties are not included in the reopening plan due to having a high amount of COVID-19 cases.
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