ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates below:
Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold press conference at Orlando Health on Sunday
9:20 p.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding a press conference at Orlando Health on Sunday. It will be held at 1 p.m.
Volusia County updates COVID-19 cases
9:05 p.m. update
Volusia County officials released the case numbers in the county.
View the cases below:
FDA approves 3 more coronavirus tests
7:15 p.m. update
The Food and Drug Administration approved three new coronavirus antibody tests under the emergency-use authorization, which is a lower standard used when benefits could outweigh the risks.
The tests are expected to detect if a patient had the virus even if they did not show symptoms. Officials said the tests would not be very effective at diagnosing current infections.
Marion County officials give update on COVID-19 cases
5:35 p.m. update
Marion County officials said a 31-year-old man and a 32-year old man tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials said the men are from Summerfield.
Flagler County to reopen beaches tomorrow
3:34 p.m. update
Flagler County leaders said all 18 miles of beaches will reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday.
The beaches will be open around the clock to allow residents physical and mental health activities.
“The overwhelming compliance with social distancing that we continue to witness in our parks and at our beaches validates that the time is right for this to occur,” said Jerry Cameron, a county administrator.
Officials said social distancing requirements will remain in place with the beach reopening. They said "the intent is to allow for physical and mental health activities – exercising not socializing – walking, biking, surfing, fishing, not congregating."
Leaders said those fishing will be allowed to carry a small cooler or container for bait and tackle use.
“We are supportive of the beach reopening decision made by community leaders,” said Florida Department of Health-Flagler Administrator Bob Snyder. “In normal times, we advocate physical activity through walking, running, surfing and enjoying the outdoors. So ‘exercise don’t socialize,’ keep moving and don’t forget your sunblock and other protective health measures.”
The unincorporated areas of the beach – inclusive of Beverly Beach and Marineland – will be open all day.
The county’s beachfront parking lots and restrooms will not be accessible until Tuesday to provide staff enough time to remove barriers and clean restrooms.
Parks are not open 24 hours a day – they are open sunrise to sunset – boat ramp usage is permitted after hours, leaders said.
City of Flagler Beach will reopen its six-mile segment of the beach at the same time. However, for the time being, the city’s boardwalk, boardwalk bathrooms, parking on A1A in front of the Boardwalk, and the City’s Pier will remain closed, officials said.
Access to the Beach will be allowed from 3rd Street North to the northern city limits, and, from 9th Street South to the southern city limits. The dune walkovers on the Boardwalk will remain closed. Fishing on the beach and dog walking will only be permitted north of 10th Street North and south of 10th Street South.
“When the beaches opened earlier this week under restricted timeframes, the level of compliance in Flagler Beach was outstanding,” said Police Chief Matt Doughney. “We’re respectfully asking that all beach visitors continue to comply with CDC guidelines and abide by social distancing of at least six feet. We’ve got six miles of beaches in our city, so please spread out, stay active and stay safe.”
State unemployment website
2:20 p.m. update
Floridians trying to check the status of their unemployment claims will have to wait another three days.
The state website to check on claims was showing a message Friday that said it would be down until Monday morning.
It’s another source of frustration in a state were 700,000 people have filed unemployment claims since March 15.
Less than a third of those claims have been processed and only about one in five Floridians with valid claims have received a payment.
Floridians took to social media again Friday to express anger, compare how many hours they’d spent trying to log on and to demand answers from lawmakers.
DeSantis’ update on the coronavirus in Florida
11:50 a.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference that 320,000 people in the state have been tested for COVID-19.
He said he will allow licensed pharmacies to start testing for the coronavirus.
DeSantis said a shipment of antibody tests will arrive to Florida May 1.
Read: Coronavirus: Miami was murder-free for 7 weeks for first time since 1957
He said 41% of hospital beds statewide are available, which is higher than the availability rate before the pandemic was declared.
Scroll below to watch DeSantis' full news conference.
The Florida Department of Health said nine COVID-19-related deaths and 306 new cases were reported overnight statewide.
Officials said the death toll now stands at 1,055, and total cases are at 30,839.
They said 4,849 people have been hospitalized.
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.
DeSantis gives COVID-19 update
10:35 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update on the status of the coronavirus in Florida.
Click here to watch the live news conference.
Re-open Florida Task Force wants your ideas
10 a.m. update
The Re-Open Florida Task Force on Saturday launched a public comment submission portal for residents who have ideas on how to safely reopen the state's economy.
Read: NASA designs coronavirus-specific ventilator in 37 days
The state said it seeks feedback on all topics, including the impacts to small business, health care, education, tourism, agriculture, retail, recreation and sports and construction.
Click here to weigh in.
New COVID-19 systems
8:30 a.m. update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added six symptoms to its list of symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
Read: Find out which 6 new coronavirus symptoms have been added to the CDC list
The most commonly reported symptoms among the more than 905,000 COVID-19 patients in the United States to date have been shortness of breath, cough and fever, but the list has now been expanded to include the following:
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
Click here to read more.
New testing site to open in Lake County
6:55 a.m. update
AdventHealth said it will open a new drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg on Saturday.
Those who are symptomatic or who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to be tested at the site, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Scroll below to see a map of the testing site.
Read: Find out which 6 new coronavirus symptoms have been added to the CDC list
There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the test, which consists of coughing and spitting into a cup.
Results can be expected in about two to three days.
Click here to register and schedule an appointment.
AdventHealth said it also has COVID-19 drive-up testing sites at the following locations:
• Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee
• Seminole Towne Center mall in Sanford
• Mall at Millenia in Orlando
• Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach
Read: Expect smaller crowds but longer lines when Central Florida theme parks reopen, analyst says
The hospital network said it will also open the following new locations:
• Posner Park in Davenport will open Tuesday
• Flagler/Palm Coast campus of Daytona State College on Wednesday
Each site is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Leesburg and Kissimmee sites will also be open Saturday and Sunday.
Reopening Florida’s economy
5:55 a.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he does not have a date in mind for the state’s businesses to start fully reopening.
DeSantis said Friday he will be looking at recommendations made by business and political leaders who have examined the best way to reopen the state from the massive shutdown caused by the coronavirus.
Read: Coronavirus: Royal Caribbean files patent for face mask
He said he will expand the availability of testing by allowing pharmacists to conduct tests for the virus.
The state had a grim milestone Friday as the 1,000th death from the disease was recorded.
Almost 5,000 Floridians have been hospitalized because of the virus.
Read: TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Friday, April 24
Click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of the pandemic on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
Click here to read a full recap of Friday’s events.
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.
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