ORLANDO, Fla. — First responders around Central Florida are preparing themselves to respond to potential patients as concerns over coronavirus continue to grow. There have not yet been any confirmed cases in Central Florida. Read live updates below:
11:55 p.m. update
With so many attractions and tourists coming to Central Florida every day, the region is taking extra precautions. See our in-depth coverage below:
6:30 p.m. update
During a news conference Wednesday evening, Vice President Mike Pence said the risk of the coronavirus to Americans is “very low.”
6 p.m. update
Children are being exposed to the news that there is a health threat, but they may not understand what it means.
Watch: School buses disinfected; doctors say talk to kids
Experts encourage parents and other trusted adults to protect themselves and to be positive and age appropriate.
Click here for more tips on talking about the coronavirus outbreak with children.
Read: Coronavirus: Talking to kids about the outbreak
5 p.m. update
Heading to the gym? Doctors recommend wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts to limit the chance your skin will come into contact with bad bacteria.
Those working out may also use two towels – one to drape over gym equipment and another to wipe up sweat.
Read: To shake or not to shake: How to greet others while staying safe from coronavirus
Click here or scroll below for more tips.
4:45 p.m. update
The Florida Department of Health has opened a call center to answer your questions about the coronavirus.
Call 866-779-6121 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, or click here to read more information about the state’s response.
Read: Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces
4:30 p.m. update
All coronavirus tests conducted in Orange County have come back negative, but 30 people remain in self-isolation.
Dr. Raul Pino, of the Florida Department of Health, said the federal government identified those 30 people as possibly being exposed to the virus while they were traveling to Florida.
"Those numbers are decreasing by the day, because the number of travelers are decreasing," Pino said. "But also, we are only watching them for 14 days."
Read: Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your own
Elsewhere in the state, three people have tested positive for coronavirus.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that a Florida resident in Washington has also tested positive, but it is unknown where in Florida that person lives.
“We believe it was somebody who had been traveling in Asia, probably in China, so they’re under self-isolation,” DeSantis said.
Click here or scroll below to watch an in-depth report:
4 p.m. update
Channel 9 has a team of reporters covering the response to the coronavirus in Florida.
Click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of what is being done to prevent the further spread of the virus.
12:30 p.m. update
Another Florida resident has been confirmed to have the coronavirus, according to Gov. DeSantis. That person is not in Florida and currently being monitored in Washington. It is not known what part of Florida the resident is from.
The governor said that 30 more people were being monitored for the coronavirus in the state.
Another Florida resident has Covid-19 but they are currently being isolated out of state. Governor in Orange County speaking on coronavirus. @WFTV #Coronavirusflorida #covid19 pic.twitter.com/X4UZ6LgIZ2
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) March 4, 2020
11:30 a.m. update
Gov. DeSantis is slated to provide update on the coronavirus during a meeting with the media. You can watch his statements below.
WATCH LIVE: Gov. DeSantis provides updates on coronavirusGovernor Ron DeSantis is slated to provide an update on the coronavirus after a third patient was confirmed Tuesday. Read: at.wftv.com/2TBKYCr
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, March 4, 2020
11:20 a.m. update
Local leaders met Wednesday morning to ensure quick response times in case there was an outbreak in Central Florida. Channel 9 got a look at some of the equipment and suits that would be used if personnel were to come in contact with someone with coronavirus.
As a city, we are monitoring and preparing our response to COVID-19. We are working closely with the @HealthyFla, who in turn is working closely with the @CDCgov. We appreciate the roundtable discussion today on #Coronavirus with CFO @JimmyPatronis. pic.twitter.com/halbk1HRkf
— Orlando Fire Dept (@OrlandoFireDept) March 4, 2020
5 a.m. update
Publix officials released a statement Tuesday night saying they’re working to replenish their stock and continuing to make daily deliveries amid concerns of the coronavirus.
If shoppers are truly concerned, they’re urged to get their supplies early in the morning after supplies were restocked overnight.
Additional coverage:
‘There is no reason to panic’: Orange County health officials look to curb fears over coronavirus
Comparing the coronavirus to the flu
© 2020 Cox Media Group
