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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.
Key Facts
- Pasco County libraries offer printed unemployment application pick up
- The Florida Department of Health is reporting 22,897 cases with 633 deaths.
- Pinellas County leaders decided to wait to open the beaches until there's a larger plan in place for safely opening everything back up.
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10 p.m. (April 16)
Deputies say a Pinellas Park business owner violated the safer at home order several times and became argumentative when told to stop operating his business.
Galen Wood, 36, was arrested Thursday night at his business, Kitchen Table Games at 9600 66th Street North.
Wood is charged with operating a non-essential business and traveling to operate a non-essential business.
Click here for the full story.
6 p.m. (April 16)
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 23,340 cases of COVID-19 in the state. The health department is also reporting 668 deaths.
This is a rise in 353 cases and 35 deaths since the update given this morning.
5:35 p.m. (April 16)
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is currently caring for 32 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. Since their last update, one person has died from COVID-19 raising the total deaths at SMH to 13. Sixty-four others have been discharged.
The hospital also reports 17 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Most are being monitored from home, but one employee is currently hospitalized.
SMH says the Patient Care, Employee Health and Infection Control teams are reviewing of each case to determine the employees' recent contacts.
In house testing has begun at Sarasota Memorial. The testing allows the hospital to obtain results in under two hours, every day, rather than wait for results to be returned from outside labs where results can take up to 10 days to get in.
Thanks to that testing capability, SMH reports they have identified two suspected COVID-19 cases and have isolated those individuals.
5 p.m. (April 16)
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Thursday to suspend the requirement for Floridians to rectify their reemployment assistance status every two weeks.
DeSantis also announced that he is set to open two walk-up testing sites in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. These sites will help expand statewide testing efforts and are projected to complete 200 tests a day.
Individuals that want to be tested at these sites only need to walk up to be tested.
4:52 p.m. (April 16)
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DOE) announced the CONNECT site will now be unavailable nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for "necessary" and scheduled maintenance.
The DOE said the maintenance and nightly closures of the website allow them to improve the ability to process current applications more quickly.
4:49 p.m. (April 16)
Live now: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is discussing COVID-19 in Pinellas with County Administrator Barry Burton.
Have a question? Get it answered by watching here.
4:35 p.m. (April 16)
Hernando County has extended its local state of emergency declaration
This extension provides Hernando County Government the authority to continue to take action as needed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community in response to COVID-19. This includes making emergency purchases, obtaining additional resources, renting equipment, hiring workers, utilizing volunteers, etc.
The Local State of Emergency extension will be in effect for
seven days, or until rescinded or extended.
3:35 p.m. (April 16)
Hillsborough County’s Emergency Policy Group (EPG) decided against passing an order that would have required everyone in the county to wear a face mask while going out for essential services. After acknowledging there were not enough votes in favor of the measure, the group began the process of voting on a strong recommendation instead.
But, the remote meeting was halted by technical difficulties.
If the order had passed, it would have required people to wear a face-covering that goes over the nose and mouth while shopping at the grocery store, going to the pharmacy or visiting any place where social distancing isn’t possible, with exceptions.
Plant City Mayor Rick Lott expressed that the current safer at home order is sufficient enough on its own and that requiring individuals to wear masks on top of that would cause a burden.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister agreed, saying requiring people to wear masks would make the job of law enforcement more difficult.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently began recommending that people wear face masks or coverings when in public places. The CDC and medical experts around the world are still urging people to stay home as much as possible.
Earlier in the day, in an emotional vote, the EPG voted to rescind the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew they had enacted on Monday night.
3:10 p.m. (April 16)
Duke Energy announced a $1 million donation to COVID-19 response and education grants in Florida. The COVID-19 funds will go to help address immediate social service and hunger relief needs resulting from the virus pandemic.
The money will be dispersed through 50 organizations and help moe than 2,000 families pay for their gas and utility bills and their food needs.
The education grants will be divided among 22 Florida based organizations to support energy, environmental and engineering education initiatives.
“These targeted investments, coupled with the actions Duke Energy has taken to help our customers during this challenging time, help fulfill critical community needs – and hopefully lessen the burden – for Floridians experiencing financial hardships during the virus pandemic,” said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president.
2:35 p.m. (April 16)
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County is now offering free COVID-19 testing by appointment for North Sarasota residents starting tomorrow.
The testing is for those who are currently experiencing symptoms or work in health care.
To make an appointment call 941-861-2883. Once an appointment is made the testing site location will be provided. The county is not releasing the location to the public.
2:30 p.m. (April 16)
Hillsborough County leaders voted to remove a curfew less than three days after passing it.
The 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in the county is no longer active. The motion by the Emergency Policy Group passed 8-0.
1:30 p.m. (April 16)
The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group is holding a meeting to discuss response since the curfew took effect and to vote on possibly requiring people wear face masks when visiting essential businesses.
Watch live here.
11 a.m. (April 16)
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 22, 897 cases of COVID-19 in the state. The health department is also reporting 633 deaths.
10:30 a.m. (April 16)
Pinellas County commissioners agreed to not vote on whether or not to reopen beaches.
Commissioners said during a meeting Monday that they would discuss the possibility of reopening the shorelines for exercise while still urging people to practice social distancing.
During a Thursday virtual meeting, County Administrator Barry Burton said the county needs to work with city leaders and brainstorm the best ways to eventually ease public restrictions. But, he said, it's too early to start reopening gathering places like the beaches.
8:30 a.m. (April 16)
Pasco County libraries are offering printed out unemployment applications for pickup.
The forms can be found the entrance of five branch locations throughout the
county beginning Friday, April 17, 2020.
Forms can be found at these locations:
- Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Rd, Hudson
- Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Rd, New Port Richey
- South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Rd, Holiday
- Land O' Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes
- Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City
Anyone who isn't able to pick up a form can request to have one mailed to them by emailing virtualservices@pascolibraries.org or visiting their website.
4:30 a.m. (April 16)
A Tampa Bay eye doctor says wearing glasses can help protect you against the spread of COVID-19. The glasses act as a shield between you and the virus.
4:50 p.m. (April 15)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update to the state's response to COVID-19 coronavirus.
DeSantis announced he will be forming a statewide task force made up of educational, economic, health and other leaders in an effort to figure out how to properly reopen the state's economy.
The governor also announced $173.6 million in federal CARES Act education funding is coming to Florida. He said there is flexibility in how the funding can be applied from Pre-K to higher education needs.
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- Trains will honk Thursday to salute America's transit workers
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- Hotlines, websites offer the latest on COVID-19
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