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As the COVID-19 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
- Roughly 30.3 million Americans have now filed for jobless aid in the six weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began
- 1,314 people in Florida have died from COVID-19. There are 34,728 positive cases.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans for phase one of reopening Florida. It begins Monday when restaurants can open with restrictions.
- Beaches opening Monday, May 4: Pinellas County and Manatee County
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7:02 p.m. (May 1)
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport has implemented a COVID-19 action plan for travelers.
Here is what travelers can expect:
- Total sanitizing of all surfaces; Increased intensity and frequency of disinfecting hard surfaces and high-touch areas throughout the airport
- Increased cleaning efforts in the restrooms and other public areas
- Assuring public restrooms are supplied with soap and towels
- Additional hand sanitizing stations installed throughout the airport
- Passengers are asked to follow social distance measures put in place at the airport with 6-foot distancing markings and seating restrictions.
- Passengers need to wear face-covering while in the terminal.
- Concessions open for departing passengers are currently closed.
5:52 p.m. (May 1)
The Mall at University Town Center is set to reopen to the public on May 6. The reopening will follow all local, state and federal guidelines.
Meaning, the shopping center and restaurants will have reduced capacity and crubside pick-up will be available from certain retailers in designated parking lot areas.
Mall hours are set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. And 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Here are all the safety precautions the mall said it has taken:
- Using signage and decals to help customers practice social distancing
- Cleaning and disinfecting the center throughout the day, and after-hours, with a focus on high-touch, high-traffic surfaces
- Using a stronger disinfectant when available
- Offering hand sanitizer at designated stations
- Providing wipes for strollers as supplies last
- Closing play areas
- Turning off drinking fountains
- Removing furniture and/or resetting seating areas in our common areas and food courts to allow for greater social distancing
- Removing trays from our food courts to reduce the amount of high-touch surfaces
- Encouraging the use of masks and gloves where it is not already mandated by local, state or federal laws
5 p.m. (May 1)
Starting May 2 Pasco County said it will start reopening certain parks, recreation and natural resources with limited services.
Here is a list of sites set to open Saturday for essential recreation activities:
- Anclote River Park
- Anclote Gulf Park
- Eagle Point Park
- Moon Lake Park
- Robert K. Rees Memorial Park
3:35 p.m. (May 1)
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's (DEO) CONNECT site is set to be down once again this weekend. But, only those with existing claims will be impacted.
Anyone looking to file a new claim or who qualifies as an independent contractor, or is self-employed will still be able to reach the site, according to the DEO.
The DEO said the reason for the site's closure to current applicants is to help "process claims and making payments over the weekend."
Those filing new claims can do so here.
Those who are self-employed can file for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program assistance here.
As of Friday the DEO says it has verified 960,410 unique claims and paid 426,623 claimants a total of more than $598.8 million.
4:45 p.m. (May 1)
Starting May 4 at sunrise the city of Tampa said that it will open the following parks for walking, running, biking, and other passive use:
- Al Barnes Park, 2902 N 32nd St, 33605
- Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave, 33614
- Copeland Park, 11001 N 15th St, 33612
- Davis Islands Seaplane Basin Park, 650 Severn Ave, 33606
- DeSoto Park, 2617 Corrine St, 33605
- Gadsden Park, 6901 S MacDill Ave, 33611
- Lowry Park, 7525 N Boulevard, 33604
- MacFarlane Park, 1700 N MacDill Ave, 33607
- McKay Bay Trail, 513 S 50th St, 33619
- New Tampa Nature Park, 17001 Dona Michelle Dr, 33612
- Ragan Park, 1200 E Lake Ave, 33605
- Rivercrest Park, 4802 N Boulevard, 33603
- Rowlett Park, 2401 E Yukon St, 33604
3:03 p.m. (May 1)
Statewide there have been 423 individuals that were staff or residents of a long-term care facility that have died of COVID-19.
Here is a county-by-county breakdown for the Tampa Bay area:
Pinellas County: 22
Manatee County: 29
Sarasota: 21
Hillsborough: 3
Pasco: 3
2:35 p.m. (May 1)
The City of Pinellas Park is launching a campaign starting May 4 to provide local small businesses with free surgical masks for employees.
With the goal of distributing 20,000 masks, the city said it will set up a site at Helen Howarth Park operating from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:55 p.m. (May 1)
A nurse who worked at Seminole Pavilion has died as a result of COVID-19, a representative for Freedom Square Nursing Home confirmed to 10News.
"On behalf of our community, we send our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones affected by this loss," a spokesperson for the facility wrote in an email.
The total number of deaths linked to the coronavirus outbreak at the senior care facility is now 17.
1:00 p.m. (May 1)
Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke in Escambia County, as the state gets ready to begin phase 1 of his reopening plan.
That starts on Monday.
Earlier today, the governor called for an investigation of the state's failed unemployment system. You can read more about that below.
11:45 a.m. (May 1)
The system is broken -- and the governor is demanding answers.
Gov. DeSantis said Florida needs to investigate the unemployment system that failed a critical time, when hundreds of thousands of hard-working people needed it most.
The CONNECT website simply couldn't handle the surge of applications, leaving many families without help after the pandemic cost so many people their jobs.
10News reported that problem-plagued site was launched in 2013 under then governor Rick Scott.
When issues popped up back then, Scott told 10News "As you know the DEO (Department of Economic Opportunity) is replacing a 30-year-old system. My big focus is make sure people have jobs so they don’t even have to look."
11:32 a.m. (May 1)
Starting May 4 the Citrus County Department of Health is expanding its COVID-19 testing efforts. The department said the move is to get a clearer picture of how many residents have the virus and help make decisions on reopening.
Testing will be by appointment only. Those with symptoms will be prioritized, but people without symptoms who want to be tested are also being considered.
Here are the additional sites:
Langley Health Services at 151 E. Highland Blvd. Suite 151. Staff can be contacted at 352-419-5760.
Quick Care Med: Schedule a telemedicine appointment by clicking here. Staff can be contacted at 844-797-8425.
To make an appointment call 352-527-0068
11:30 a.m. (May 1)
The Florida Department of Health is now reporting 1,314 people in Florida have died from COVID-19. There are 34,728 positive cases.
11:15 a.m. (May 1)
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced that all state parks will be reopening on Monday after being closed for more than a month.
11:10 a.m. (May 1)
Pinellas County leaders met this morning to discuss their next steps after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the phased easing of pandemic restrictions statewide.
They voted unanimously to extend the local state of emergency.
They all supported a measure clarifying local restrictions, as well. That includes recommending everyone wears masks or face coverings when they have to be around other people in public.
Here’s the deal with Pinellas County’s beaches:
- Closed until 7 a.m. daily
- Groups limited to 10 people
- Small groups should not join larger groups
- Everyone should stay six feet apart
- 1,000 signs reminding people of social distancing are in place
- More than 250 additional deputies will patrol the beaches and ensure social distancing guidelines are being followed
- 30 deputies will be on ATVs
- At least one deputy will be positioned at each of the 213 beach access points
- Deputies will be stationed at every public parking lot
- 9 marine units will be out on the water
- Sheriff’s office helicopters will patrol as well
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri also made it clear that any business or activity that is not specifically prohibited under the state's order would not be enforced by his deputies.
Gualtieri said the governor's orders have been unclear.
11 a.m. (May 1)
Gov. Ron DeSantis is in Jacksonville talking about phase 1 of easing pandemic restrictions around the state.
Watch live here.
10:20 a.m. (May 1)
As of this morning, the following places in Polk County are back open:
- Boat ramps
- Campgrounds
- Horse arenas
- Bike trails
- Athletic fields
- Convention centers (partially open)
Commissioners made it clear during a Friday morning meeting that all of the above locations are open for individual use only. No group activities or events are allowed for now, and people are expected to follow social distancing guidelines.
9:30 a.m. (May 1)
Pinellas County leaders are meeting to discuss extending the local state of emergency.
They're also expected to clarify rules about county pools and playgrounds.
It's their first meeting since Gov. DeSantis announced the easing of pandemic restrictions statewide.
Watch live here:
5:20 p.m. (April 30)
Hillsborough County's EPG announced Thursday that it would be aligning the community's COVID-19 coronavirus recovery with Gov. DeSantis' phase one to reopening Florida.
Mayor Jane Castor was the only member to vote against the motion to do so.
"I voted against today's EPG motion because we, as a county, need to continue doing what's right by our residents. We need to be able to react quickly at the local level as we witness the effect of reopening the region on the frontlines," Castor wrote. "And, we need to take a thoughtful approach to reopening our county so that folks can get back to work safely and we can get back to all the things we love about or region"
You can read her full statement below.
5:10 p.m. (April 30)
Sarasota County is adding more dates to community-based COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites.
An appointment is required to attend each location. You can schedule one by calling 941-861-2883.
North Sarasota: Tuesday, May 5, 8 a.m. to Noon - R.L. Taylor Community Center, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota
South County: Wednesday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd, North Port
Mid-County: Thursday, May 7, 8 a.m. to Noon - Laurel Civic Association, 509 Collins Road, Laurel
4:52 p.m. (April 30)
Frontier Airlines is following suit with JetBlue in requiring passengers to wear face coverings. The policy goes into effect on May 8.
Passengers will now need to wear face coverings at the airline’s ticket counters, gate areas and onboard planes. Very young children are exempt from the policy.
“We want our passengers to feel comfortable when flying with us by protecting themselves and their fellow travelers as we all navigate the Covid-19 pandemic,” Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said.
“This new measure is aligned with CDC recommendations and those of many municipalities within the U.S. that include wearing a face covering when out in public.”
The company said it plans to communicate the new requirements to passengers through emails, online, during the check-in process and at airports.