ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates below:
Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre con la pandemia en Florida Central, 12 mayo
Elective surgeries back in full swing at Orlando Health
10:30 p.m. update
The chief surgical quality officer says so far, things have been going well with the return of all procedures at Orlando Health.
To get to that point, it took a lot of preparation to make sure patients feel safe when returning. See more below:
Orlando’s July 4th fireworks display canceled
6:45 p.m. update
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he has canceled the city’s annual Independence Day fireworks display at Lake Eola Park because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said a virtual fireworks display will be held instead.
“We will still celebrate as a community, just not in person,” Dyer said.
CityWalk to reopen Thursday with limited operations
4 p.m. update
Universal CityWalk will reopen Thursday with limited operations, Universal Orlando announced Tuesday afternoon.
Select venues will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Restaurants that are reopening will have a limited menu.
Face coverings and temperature checks will be required. Floor markings will be placed on the floor to ensure guests are staying six feet apart.
Among the businesses opening are Voodoo Doughnut, the Universal Studios Store and Hollywood Drive-In Golf. Click here to see a full list of businesses that are reopening.
Self-parking will be complimentary. Valet parking is not available.
Blue Man Group, all nightclubs, and Universal Cinemark will remain closed.
Update! Starting 5/14 select #UniversalCityWalk venues will open from 4-10pm w/ limited menus and guidelines for Team Members and guests.
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) May 12, 2020
See full details at https://t.co/1yjxKst7OT pic.twitter.com/6cfxN215JR
Appointments still available for free COVID-19 testing at Orange County mobile sites
3:15 p.m. update
There are still appointments available for free COVID-19 tests over the next three days at Orange County mobile sites, according to the Florida Department of Health.
County residents can secure an appointment for testing by calling the Florida Department of Health in Orange County’s COVID-19 call center at 407-723-5004 Monday through Friday until 5 p.m. Residents can leave a message and staff will contact them.
Here are the testing sites for the rest of the week.
- Wednesday, May 13, 2020 – Camping World Stadium 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando
- Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Evans High School 4949 Silver Star Road, Orlando
- Friday, May 15, 2020 – Prairie Lake Elementary 8723 Hackney Prairie Road, Orlando
The free tests are done by appointment only. Individuals must be at least 18 years old and can walk to the drive-through testing sites. Testing will remain as long as supplies last.
6 more COVID-19 deaths in Central Florida
11:35 a.m. update
Florida health officials reported 44 more COVID-19-related deaths since Monday and 941 additional cases of the virus statewide.
Read: 9 things to know about Florida during the Great Depression
Six of the deaths were reported in Central Florida -- two each in Osceola and Polk counties and one each in Volusia and Sumter counties.
Officials said there have been 41,923 cases of the virus reported in the state and 1,779 deaths.
Read: Drive-in theaters make a comeback in Central Florida amid COVID-19 pandemic
Flagler County has not reported any new cases since Friday, and Sumter County has not reported any additional cases since Sunday.
Click here to see an interactive map of cases statewide, and see the latest local numbers below:
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
• Orange: 1,537 (1,512 Monday)
• Seminole: 418 (415 Monday)
• Volusia: 557 (551 Monday)
• Brevard: 346 (330 Monday)
• Osceola: 580 (573 Monday)
• Lake: 246 (243 Monday)
• Marion: 213 (211 Monday)
• Polk: 675 (655 Monday)
• Sumter: 244 (no change since Sunday)
• Flagler: 147 (no change since Friday)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is testifying before a Senate committee on the reopening of the nation’s economy. Click here to watch him speak 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.
Seminole County officials to hold COVID-19 virtual briefing
10:21 a.m. update
Officials in Seminole County will hold a virtual chat on Facebook to answer the community’s questions about COVID-19.
The chat will take place at noon.
TODAY: Join Seminole County Emergency Management for a Live Chat related to COVID-19 today, Tuesday, May 12, from 12:00-12:25pm at https://t.co/HTSjtZYkyG.
— Seminole County, FL (@seminolecounty) May 12, 2020
For more info, visit https://t.co/IpqioTcHMP. pic.twitter.com/cDYjQPoAv7
Another COVID-19 testing site to open in Brevard County
8:50 a.m. update
A drive-through, no-appointment-required COVID-19 testing site will open today at the Eastern Florida State College Palm Bay Campus located on 250 Community College Parkway.
Testing will be available seven days a week for individuals 18 or older and will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Timeline: Coronavirus - May 11
Motorcoach operators depart for Washington in hopes of receiving $15 billion to help industry
7:45 a.m. update
A convoy of independent motorcoach operators in Florida departed from ABC Companies in Winter Garden to join with over 500 others from around the country for a “rolling rally” in Washington, D.C.
The operators will come together for a rally Tuesday to request $15 billion in grants and loans and modifications to Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program to help save the industry from failing, according to a release.
Read: Walt Disney World to begin accepting resort reservations in July
Volunteers to distribute snacks in Parramore
6:38 a.m. update
City Commissioner Regina I. Hill and officials with The Salvation Army of Orlando will be distributing snack boxes to the community as a part of the National Salvation Army Week to help bring relief to families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 701 West Livingston Street.
14 coronavirus-related deaths, including 2 in Central Florida reported
4:25 a.m. update
Florida health officials reported that 14 people have died from COVID-19, including two people in Central Florida, since Sunday.
Numbers show that 386 new cases of the coronavirus have also been reported in the state during the same time frame.
Officials reported that the percentage of positive tests in in the state went down to 7.3% from 7.52% the day prior.
Read: From salons to theme parks and shopping malls: What’s reopening in Central Florida and when?
Data shows there have been 40,982 cases of the virus in the state and 1,735 deaths.
The latest deaths in Central Florida included one person in Volusia County and one in Osceola County.
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