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As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic grips the globe, it can be difficult to find reliably factual information about what's going on here in Florida.
This blog is a resource to address that crucial need. 10News reporters and producers will use it to share the latest headlines, while actively focusing on facts not fear.
Stories that require more in-depth coverage will be posted on WTSP.com/coronavirus.
Key Facts
- 144 deaths reported in Florida, with 9,008 confirmed cases
- Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a "safer-at-home" order for the state of Florida, effective April 3
- Tampa pastor who was arrested says he will not hold services on Sunday
- Hardee County reports its first positive case of COVID-19.
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9:07 p.m. (April 2)
Three employees from Tampa International Airport tested positive for COVID-19, the airport director said.
7:04 p.m. (April 2)
The Walt Disney Company says it will start to furlough employees starting this month.
6:18 p.m. (April 2)
Governor Ron DeSantis issued two new executive orders Thursday regarding re-employment assistance and mortgage foreclosure, eviction relief.
The governor said the additional assistance is needed after 348,511 unemployment claims were filed in the last two weeks.
That’s why all agency heads have been directed to assist the Department of Economic Opportunity with their re-employment assistance efforts.
Enhancing the response in both call centers and online submissions, but also expanding the department to accepting written filings.
“This system is not handling the needs of the people of Florida in an adequate way,” DeSantis said.
As for his second order, DeSantis is suspending both foreclosures and evictions for the next 45 days.
He mentioned that give the times this action is warranted and they wanted to put this in place to deter Floridians from losing their homes during hard times.
6:04 p.m. (April 2)
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 144 deaths reported in Florida, with 9,008 confirmed cases.
4:05 p.m. (April 2)
Sarasota Memorial Hospital said it had tested almost 700 people for COVID-19 and had 50 positive results and 99 that were pending.
The hospital said 25 patients were hospitalized and 28 had been discharged with follow-up monitoring by the Florida Department of Health. Nine of the hospital's employees tested positive for the virus.
2:13 p.m.(April 2)
During today's Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group meeting county leaders unanimously voted to extend the local state of emergency order related to coronavirus concerns.
The order needs to be revisited every seven days.
2:05 p.m. (April 2)
Hillsborough County leaders voted Thursday to approve extending the emergency order for the county.
11:50 a.m. (April 2)
The Pasco County Supervisor of Elections is asking Gov. DeSantis to issue an executive order to delay municipal elections set for Tuesday, April 14, in San Antonio, Dade City, and Zephyrhills.
If the executive order is given, elections would be moved to Tuesday, August 18.
9:50 a.m. (April 2)
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas said there are now six coronavirus-related deaths in the county. The most recent was an 85-year-old man.
During Thursday's meeting, commissioners said there have been 3,700 people tested for COVID-19 in Pinellas County.
9:30 a.m. (April 2)
Pinellas County commissioners are meeting Thursday morning to discuss the response to COVID-19 and possibly extending the local state of emergency.
8:30 a.m. (April 2)
Unemployment claims in the U.S. hit 6.6 million people this week. It's another record high for unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Department of Labor, claims for the week of March 28 were at 6.64 million. The previous week, they were at 3.029 million.
8:48 p.m. (April 1)
The Tampa pastor who was arrested Monday after Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said he held a packed service despite Hillsborough County's "safer-at-home" order now says he will not hold services this Sunday.
Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne made the announcement that The River at Tampa Bay would not hold services at the church on Facebook Live Wednesday night.
Howard-Browne said there would still be a broadcasted service.
7:24 p.m. (April 1)
Manatee County said its county buildings will remain closed to the public through April 30 in accordance with Gov. Ron DeSantis' order.
Transit services continue to operate but passengers are asked to limit their trips to essential travel only.