ORLANDO, Fla. — See our in-depth coverage below:
Read live updates below:
Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre en Florida Central con la pandemia, 13 mayo
UCF will use phased-in approach for returning to campus
10:30 p.m. update
The University of Central Florida will utilize a phased-in approach for students and faculty returning to campus, the school announced Wednesday.
The measures begin later this month for researchers who need access to their lab, the university said.
As businesses and other entities across Florida begin bringing back employees, UCF soon will as well.
— UCF (@UCF) May 13, 2020
Teams at UCF have been working on what our return to the workplace, research labs, classrooms and campus life would look like, while prioritizing the safety of our community.
Over the next two weeks, campus leaders and supervisors will receive additional guidance for returning to work across campus beginning June 1.
Click here to read the full letter from UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright.
Return of professional sports?
6:15 p.m. update
When professional sports returns to Florida, Orlando could be one of the cities to host professional basketball and soccer games.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon that the NBA could finish its season in Orlando and the MLS could begin its season in the city.
Read: Stimulus checks: Wednesday is the deadline for direct deposit; here’s how to set yours up
He said if that were to happen, the leagues would test each player and quarantine them for 14 days before they could play.
Dyer said fans would not be allowed to watch the games in person.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said earlier Wednesday that he would welcome any professional sports team that would want to play or practice in the state.
Watch a full update from Orange County officials about COVID-19 below:
Florida National Guard flyover in Orlando
1:25 p.m. update
The Florida National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing flew over Orlando on Wednesday morning to honor health care workers and first reponders for doing their part in the battle against the coronavirus.
The flyover ran about 15 minutes.
WATCH: Fighter jets fly over Orlando hospitals, testing sites to salute health care workers
The two F-15Cs passed over a number of hospitals in the area.
The unit is from Jacksonville.
Click here to see photos and video of the flyover.
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.
Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre con la pandemia en Florida Central, 13 mayo
DeSantis provides update on Florida’s long-term care facilities
12:40 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a briefing on the state’s handling of COVID-19 and long-term care facilities.
The governor stressed that while he wants people to eventually be reunited with their loved ones inside the facilities, he didn’t want to open them up too early to the public to avoid the possibility of the spread of COVID-19 within the facility.
The White House recently recommended all nursing home residents be tested over the next two weeks.
You can watch his press conference in its entirety below:
Brevard Zoo to reopen under new guidelines
11:36 a.m. update
Brevard Zoo will reopen to the public on May 23 with new guidelines for the safety the animals, guests and staff, according to a release.
All guests will be required to reserve timed-entry tickets online prior to arrival to limit the number of entrants per hour. All guests seven years of age and older must have a mask or face covering to enter the zoo. Guests are required to keep a six foot distance from other guests.
Certain areas and experiences, including Paws On and some animal feedings, will be closed or unavailable.
Hours of operation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Read: Coronavirus: Krispy Kreme offering free 'graduate dozen’ doughnuts to Class of 2020
Florida reports 48 COVID-19 deaths, including 3 in Central Florida, and 479 new cases
11:15 a.m. update
Florida health officials reported 479 new coronavirus cases and 48 deaths on Wednesday morning. Those numbers bring the death toll up to 1,827 and the total number of cases to 42,402.
Three of the deaths reported on Wednesday were in Central Florida, one each in Orange, Osceola and Polk counties.
See the full breakdown of case numbers below:
Orange: 1,553 (1,537 yesterday)
Seminole: 422 (418 yesterday)
Volusia: 566 (557 yesterday)
Brevard: 344 (346 yesterday)
Osceola: 586 (580 yesterday)
Lake: 247 (246 yesterday)
Sumter: 245 (244 yesterday)
Marion: 217 (213 yesterday)
Flagler: 148 (147 yesterday)
Polk: 687 (675 yesterday)
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.
Gov. DeSantis to hold COVID-19 update
9:44 a.m update
Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a briefing on long-term care facilities and COVID-19 at noon.
The governor will hold the press conference in Tallahassee.
>>>You can watch his remarks LIVE here<<<
Florida National Guard to flyover Orlando
9:27 a.m. update
The 125th Fighter Wing will fly over Orlando at 11:35 a.m. as a salute to healthcare workers and first responders who have been on the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.
You can find a complete schedule of when the jets will be in your area here.
Watch @WFTV at noon to see the @FLGuard flyover of @citybeautiful. The flyover starts approximately at 11:35am pic.twitter.com/z3uzHjWJuw
— Jon Galed (@JonGaled) May 13, 2020
Conviva Care Centers to donate $250,000 to aid those in need amid COVID-19 pandemic
7:52 a.m. update
Conviva Care Centers will provide a donation of $250,000 to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in helping to provide healthy foods amid the pandemic.
Conviva also announced that the company is donating $2 million to food banks in Florida and Texas.
The donation will ensure that more seniors in the community will have access to nutritious food options.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site to open in Sumter County
6:50 a.m. update
The Sumter County Health Department will be offering testing at a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for Sumter County residents.
The testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Lake Panasoffkee at the First Baptist Church of Lake Panasoffkee located at 802 N CR 470.
Registration is required for testing.
CityWalk to reopen on Thursday
4:27 a.m. update
Universal CityWalk will reopen Thursday with limited operations, Universal Orlando announced Tuesday afternoon.
Read: TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Tuesday, May 12
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.
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
Read: Drive-in theaters make a comeback in Central Florida amid COVID-19 pandemic
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.
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