If you arrived on this page by clicking a push alert on your phone, please scroll down for links to live streams.
Live blog:
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
- 85 deaths reported in Florida, with 6,741 confirmed cases
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted calls to implement a statewide stay-at-home order
- DeSantis also said he's signing an executive order to allow retired law enforcement and medical professionals to return to work to help fight COVID-19
---
11:34 p.m. (March 31)
After Gov. Ron DeSantis said he didn't want the Holland America Zaandam cruise ship carrying hundreds of people with flu-like symptoms to dock in Florida, he might soon get a call from President Donald Trump.
Trump said he will speak with the governor about the situation, the USA Today reports, though it's unclear what the men will discuss exactly. Two of the company's ships, the Zaandam and Rotterdam, recently were able to cross the Panama Canal and are heading to Florida.
"I am going to do what is right, not only for us but for humanity," Trump reportedly said.
8:30 p.m. (March 31)
A 28-year-old man died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital from COVID-19 coronavirus, the hospital confirmed.
According to the Florida Department of Health, the person's case involved travel in Florida and Illinois. There was no apparent contact with a person who had COVID-19.
6:00 p.m. (March 31)
The Florida Department of Health reports 6,741 positive cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. The state health department is also reporting 85 deaths.
Those numbers are up from 6,338 positive cases and 77 deaths from the morning update.
5:30 p.m. (March 31)
Sarasota Memorial Hospital says one more of its COVID-19 patients has died. That brings the total number of deaths from the virus at the hospital to three.
SMH is caring for 26 inpatients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and has discharged 21.
SMH said it has eight employees who are positive with COVID-19. One employee who had been hospitalized has been discharged, while the other positive employees are being monitored at home.
4:15 p.m. (March 31)
Three members of the Florida Highway Patrol tested positive for COVID-19, according to a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Two of the troopers are from South Florida and one is from the panhandle.
2:05 p.m. (March 31)
A 92-year-old woman in Hillsborough County has died from COVID-19. The Florida Department of Health says she was the third person in the county to die from the disease.
12:30 p.m. (March 31)
A 60-year-old diagnosed with COVID-19 in Polk County has died. Florida's health department says the person was the first to die from the coronavirus in the county.
"We express our sincere condolences to the person's family and will continue to work with the Department of Health (DOH) and our community partners to prevent the spread of COVID-19," FDOH in Polk County said in a news release.
11:40 a.m. (March 31)
The Florida Department of Health released the updated number of coronavirus cases in the state. As of Tuesday morning, there are 6,338 confirmed cases.
That's 634 more than Monday.
Six more people have died from COVID-19 in Florida, bringing the total to 77.
11:00 a.m. (March 31)
The Tampa city council and emergency leaders are hosting a meeting to discuss the city's efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the area.
10:30 a.m. (March 31)
Pasco County leaders are expected to discuss the county's response to fighting the spread of COVID-19.
10:15 a.m. (March 31)
Sheriff Chad Chronister said Tuesday if a Tampa pastor holds public services in defiance of Hillsborough County's 'safer-at-home' order again -- he'll be arrested again.
Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne bonded out of jail Monday. He was taken custody after holding a packed Sunday church service, saying people need a place to gather and pray during these challenging times.
9:05 a.m. (March 31)
Florida Power & Light is telling customers the company is seeking a one-time decrease of about 25% in power bills as the result of lower fuel rates due to the coronavirus outbreak. In an email sent Monday, the company noted that approval from the state's Public Service Commission is needed before the discounted rate would go into effect in May. The company said the typical residential customer would see a reduction of about 25% of the regular monthly bill. The plan would vary by rate class.
5:30 a.m. (March 31)
There are now 5,704 cases of COVID-19 in Florida. 71 people have died in Florida from the virus.
8 p.m. (March 30)
Pasco County closed all of its parks and nature preserves at 8 p.m. Monday until further notice in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, according to a news release.
The county's boat ramps and Suncoast Trail will stay open.
7:28 p.m. (March 30)
The Florida State Emergency Operations Center said it fielded 130,015 COVID-19 coronavirus-related calls from March 18 through March 29.
Many of the questions to the center included those regarding coronavirus symptoms and who should get tested.