ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Watch our in-depth coverage in the video below:
11 p.m. update
Canaveral National Seashore has announced it will close for an undisclosed amount of time.
Also, effective Friday, Cocoa Beach has announced there will be a temporary ban on consuming or possession of alcohol in an effort to reduce crowds on the beach. Violations will result in a $500 fine.
8:27 p.m. update
The University of Central Florida said one of its students has tested positive for COVID-19.
School officials said they believe the student has been off campus since March 9 and the risk of anyone who came into contact with him developing symptoms is low.
Officials said a military contractor who works at the Partnership IV Building in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to the main campus has also tested positive for the coronavirus.
Today, UCF learned that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. We believe the student has been off campus since March 9 and the risk of anyone who came into contact with him developing symptoms at this point is very low.
— UCF (@UCF) March 20, 2020
Dr. Deichen's note 👇
6:32 p.m. update
Volusia County officials said vehicle beach access ramps in New Smyrna Beach will be closed starting Friday. No cars will be on beaches.
Officials said it also applies to the rest of Volusia County on Saturday and Sunday as a way to control crowds.
6:16 p.m. update
There are now 432 cases of coronavirus in Florida. 393 cases are Florida residents and 39 are not, according to the Florida Department of Health.
One person has died from the virus bringing the total to nine people in Florida, the Florida Department of Health said.
See the full county-by-county breakdown below:
TOTAL CASES:
- Brevard: 3 (2 earlier today)
- Lake: 3 (2 earlier today)
- Orange: 19 (15 earlier today)
- Osceola: 13 (9 earlier today)
- Sumter: 2 (1 earlier today)
NO CHANGE:
- Seminole: 8
- Volusia: 9
- Flagler: 0
- Marion: 0
- Polk: 4
5:20 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis talked about how many testing kits are available for the state. He also talked about the testing facility that will be in Broward County.
DeSantis said Broward County is the epicenter of the virus.
Testing is going to be focused on people who are 65 or older, those who have symptoms of the virus and those who have recently traveled, according to DeSantis.
Officials are also urging younger people to practice social distancing in an effort to help those who are more susceptible and stop the spread of the virus.
“You can be a hero by social distancing”. Words to live by. State begging millennials to do their part and quit gathering and potentially spreading deadly #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/vvSadnOGop
— greg warmoth wftv (@GWarmothWFTV) March 19, 2020
5:00 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding a press conference in Broward County on coronavirus Thursday afternoon.
Watch it live on Channel 9 or click here to tune in.
4:53 p.m. update
Palm Bay officials said all Palm Bay facilities will be closed to the public for health and safety reasons. The closure will extend through April 15.
4:43 p.m. update
The Orange County Tax Collector’s Office said it will be closed to the public starting Friday at 5 p.m. until further notice.
“The well-being of our employees, their families and the public is my top priority,” Tax collector Scott Randolph said. “Because most of our services are available online or by mail, and in order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, our offices will close, and we will execute our continuity of business plan.”
Officials said all non-essential personnel will be sent home Friday evening at the close of business and essential personnel will either work from home or at the tax collector’s administrative office in downtown Orlando beginning Monday.
The tax collector’s call center will remain operational with limited staff. All full-time employees will be paid their regular salary for the duration of the closure.
Orange County residents can perform most services online or by mail.
3:45 p.m. update
The Department of State announced Thursday that is is advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
Travel Advisory: Level 4 - The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of #COVID19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the US should arrange for immediate return. pic.twitter.com/MydSzFffYd
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 19, 2020
2:25 p.m. update
Gov. DeSantis gave an update on the positive cases in Florida. There are 390 positive cases of coronavirus in Florida, which includes 360 Florida residents.
DeSantis also said swabs have come in to help with testing. There are several areas that are unable to test due to the lack of swabs.
DeSantis said he is going to Broward County to discuss how mass testing will work in the county.
Can’t test w/o swabs. This is a big reason why people with symptoms who don’t have travel history to hotspots, aren’t 65+ or of any age with underlying chronic conditions haven’t been able to get tested. Three categories just mentioned have been prioritized during shortage. https://t.co/4rdbg1Lywq
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) March 19, 2020
2:12 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis said mass testing is expected to start Friday and 2,500 testing kits have been distributed in the state so far.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE<<
1:46 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis will be giving an update on coronavirus Thursday afternoon.
Watch Channel 9 or click here to tune in once it starts.
12:25 p.m. update
Publix announced Thursday that it is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7 to 8 a.m. as senior shopping hours for customers age 65 and over.
Officials said the change in hours will begin Tuesday, March 24, and continue until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve the senior population.
“Publix is offering these expanded hours to better support our elder community,” the company said in a news release.
For more information: http://spr.ly/61801tHcq
Posted by Publix on Thursday, March 19, 2020
12:20 p.m. update
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a common drug used to fight malaria has shown great promise in treating people infected with COVID-19.
The drug, chloroquine, is a medication used to prevent and to treat malaria, as well as a type of liver infection.
NEW: Vice Pres. Mike Pence cautions that as more COVID-19 tests become available in the U.S., there will be "an increased number of cases," but that it "should not be a cause for concern." https://t.co/VheMc9r6tJ pic.twitter.com/xJDuJc6C8T
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
Surgeon Gen. Dr. Jerome Adams encourages Americans to give blood, saying donation centers are taking "extra precautions" amid COVID-19 outbreak.
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
"One donation could save up to three lives...Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement." https://t.co/VheMc9r6tJ pic.twitter.com/7HienMOoPW
“We don’t want that,” President Trump tells @jonkarl when asked if he guarantees that that billions going to help industries amid coronavirus won’t go to executive bonuses or stock buybacks.
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
“Conditions like that would be OK with me,” Trump adds. https://t.co/VheMc9r6tJ pic.twitter.com/8XkZczKl2K
12:05 p.m. update
FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn on coronavirus: “I have great hope for how we we are going to come out of this situation. What’s also important is not to provide false hope … and as a doctor that’s the way I come to this.” https://t.co/RZpNZR8lBs pic.twitter.com/H1F3EQeI3R
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn says he expects that a coronavirus vaccine would be available for approval in 12 months: “The president is right. This is record time for the development of a vaccine.” https://t.co/RZpNZRpWt0 pic.twitter.com/PWYAdxHX2x
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
11:50 a.m. update
Pres. Trump touts chloroquine, an old malaria drug, that doctors say may help treat novel coronavirus, claims it will be available "almost immediately."
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
Read more about chloroquine: https://t.co/cYt0fxdlfB pic.twitter.com/9oPsMSD3HV
READ: Coronavirus: What is chloroquine and can the 1940s drug work against the virus?
11:20 a.m. update
The Florida Department of Health announced Thursday morning that there are now 390 Florida cases of COVID-19, up from 328 Wednesday night.
That includes four new cases in Orange County, one new case in Osceola County and one new case in Seminole County.
No new deaths related to the virus have been reported.
See the full county-by-county breakdown below:
NEW CASES:
- Orange: 15 (11 last night)
- Osceola: 9 (8 last night)
- Seminole: 8 (7 last night)
NO CHANGE:
- Volusia: 9
- Brevard: 2
- Lake: 2
- Sumter: 1
- Flagler: 0
- Marion: 0
>>>INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida<<<
11:15 a.m. update
We are standing by for a news conference from White House officials to start.
>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE LIVE <<<
10:55 a.m. update
White House officials are scheduled to provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. at 11 a.m.
10:35 a.m. update
Stocks are opening with modest losses on Wall Street, a break from recent wild swings over recession worries, according to The Associated Press. The Dow started off 1%.
10:30 a.m. update
The Lake County Citizen Information Line is now open. Residents can call 352-742-4830 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with any coronavirus, COVID-19, questions or concerns.
10:10 a.m. update
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and to help keep toll collectors safe, the Florida Department of Transportation announced that it will temporarily stop accepting cash as a form of payment for tolls.
FDOT said tolls will still be required, but they will be collected electronically. The change goes into effect at noon Thursday
Officials said SunPass and interoperable customers will continue to have tolls posted to their accounts, but vehicles without SunPass will be billed for tolls at the posted cash rate through a toll enforcement invoice in the mail. FDOT said the $2.50 administrative fee for those invoices will be waived.
FDOT said customers will still be able to use the “Exact Coin Lanes” where there is no toll operator present to remit pay with coins.
READ: Coronavirus live updates: Worldwide cases swell past 222,600 as global death toll tops 9,000
9:48 a.m. update:
OneBlood and YMCA officials are urging people to donate blood after concerns over the coronavirus has negatively impacted the local and national blood supply.
This week, @OrlandoMayor and @OCFLMayor visited a @my1blood bus and donated blood to help our region's blood supply. There is a great need for blood donations in our community. pic.twitter.com/BJIZ2PTFIo
— City of Orlando (@citybeautiful) March 19, 2020
Several YMCA locations around Central Florida are offering gift cards in exchange for blood donations.
Click here to find a location near you.
4:32 a.m. update:
A regional testing site for COVID-19 at the Orange County Convention Center will be operational in the next 48 hours, according to Florida health officials. Deliverables will be put into place and the site will be managed by the National Guard.
A smaller-scale testing site in the Alafaya Trail area is also set to open with appointments for people who qualify to be tested.
The facilities are for people who qualify for testing and people won’t be able to just drive up and get swabbed. They need to meet the CDC criteria in order to qualify for testing.
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