ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health on Friday announced 17 new coronavirus-related deaths, including one Orange County resident.
See our in-depth coverage below:
7:25 p.m. update
There are now 3,198 positive COVID-19 cases in the state, according to the Florida Department Health. That’s up from the 2,900 reported Friday morning.
The death toll has also increased to 46, compared to the 34 deaths reported Friday morning.
Here is a breakdown of Central Florida cases by county as of Friday evening:
Orange: 174
Osceola: 56
Seminole: 54
Volusia: 43
Brevard: 20
Lake: 32
Marion: 9
Flagler: 12
Sumter: 29
6:20 p.m. update
Seminole County has announced a social distancing order beginning at 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.
The social distancing order allows businesses to remain open pending certain conditions.
Seminole County has set up a website, Prepare Seminole, to provide residents with information.
SOCIAL DISTANCING ORDER: Effective Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 11:59p.m., Seminole County's Social Distancing Order allows businesses to remain open pending certain conditions.
— Seminole County, FL (@seminolecounty) March 27, 2020
Visit https://t.co/2TwQGNpyWb for full details and frequently asked questions. pic.twitter.com/y8KkFWNKu6
5:45 p.m. update
President Donald Trump will hold a press conference at 6 p.m. to update the nation about the coronavirus pandemic
Watch it live on WFTV Eyewitness News Channel 9
4:55 p.m. update
SeaWorld announced Friday it is temporarily furloughing more than 90% of of its workforce.
Read the theme park’s full statement below:
"As a company in an industry dependent on travel and tourism, the current pandemic has impacted our business significantly. Our parks will remain closed and are unable to generate revenue; therefore, we have made the painful but necessary business decision to temporarily furlough over 90% of our current workforce, including corporate employees, to position the company for long-term viability. During this time, our focus is on resuming normal operations and welcoming back guests and Ambassadors as quickly as possible.”
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3:40 p.m. update
Disney officials announced Friday that they are extending the closure of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort until further notice due to COVID-19. A spokesman said they will continue to pay hourly parks and resort cast members through April 18.
Read the statement in full below:
"While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority. As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice.
The Walt Disney Company has been paying its cast members since the closure of the parks, and in light of this ongoing and increasingly complex crisis, we have made the decision to extend paying hourly parks and resorts cast members through April 18."
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— Disney Parks News (@DisneyParksNews) March 27, 2020
2:50 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update on the spread of the coronavirus in Florida Friday afternoon.
He said he is planning on putting up roadblocks in the panhandle to make sure people from New Orleans and parts of Louisiana quarantine for two weeks if they come to Florida.
DeSantis said he is also suspending vacation rentals in the state for two weeks.
The governor also announced he is expanding SNAP benefits for Floridians in need.
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RIGHT NOW: @GovRonDeSantis putting up roadblocks in the panhandle to make sure people from New Orleans / Louisiana quarantine if they come here for two weeks. He's also suspending all vacation rentals in the state for two weeks. @WFTV
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) March 27, 2020
Gov. DeSantis - will suspend for two weeks any new vacation rentals. Concern is people from hot spots will be coming here. If you're in one now, finish, and go home. #coronavirus #COVID19 #wftv
— Daralene Jones (@DJonesWFTV) March 27, 2020
Gov. DeSantis says SNAP benefits will increase to help more Floridians. #COVID19 #coronavirus #wftv
— Daralene Jones (@DJonesWFTV) March 27, 2020
12:42 p.m. update:
LEGOLAND announced it is extending its closure to April 14. The park was previously closed until March 31 in an effort to stop the potential spread of the coronavirus.
12:08 p.m. update:
According to the Florida Department of Health, there are now 2,765 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Florida.
You can read the Central Florida breakdown of the cases below:
- Orange: 156 (119 reported Thursday)
- Osceola: 53 (45 reported Thursday)
- Seminole: 49 (40 reported Thursday)
- Volusia: 39 (34 reported Thursday)
- Lake: 29 (26 reported Thursday)
- Sumter: 29 (24 reported Thursday)
- Brevard: 16 (14 reported Thursday)
- Flagler: 11 (8 reported Thursday)
- Marion: 8 (5 reported Thursday)
Read: Coronavirus: Crocs donating 10,000 pairs of shoes a day to health care workers
11:35 a.m. update:
The City of Mount Dora announced Friday that it will have to layoff 30 of its employees due to the coronavirus outbreak. The city did not specify which positions they were, but said that when the positions are eligible to be re-filled, they may receive another call back.
11:24 a.m. update:
The Orange County Library has now suspended all home deliveries of books and other items. The move comes following the directive to halt all non-essential services and protect health and well-being of staff.
Read: Audible offering free books for kids during coronavirus crisis
8:11 a.m. update:
Brevard County officials will hold a 10 a.m. meeting to discuss the possibility of putting restrictions in place around the county.
#PressRelease | Special Meeting Scheduled Friday at Brevard County Government Center. Source: https://t.co/1xQHJswRlF pic.twitter.com/LlRZxAye80
— Brevard County Gov (@BrevardCo_FL) March 25, 2020
County officials already announced weekend restrictions on beaches.
Read: Brevard County to close beaches during peak hours amid coronavirus outbreak
5:00 a.m. update:
Health officials have confirmed that Orange County has the most cases of COVID-19 in Central Florida with 119 confirmed cases.
One of the cases include a 9-year-old boy. An Orange County firefighter has also tested positive with the coronavirus and has since self-quarantined.
The high amount of cases led county officials to issue a stay-at-home order that will last until April 9 at 11 p.m.
Read: Orange County stay-at-home order: What you can and can’t do
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