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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
- The Florida Department of Health is reporting 18,986 positive cases in the state with 446 deaths
- Gov. DeSantis says in the coming week the average of Floridians tested for COVID-19 will be about 1 in 100
- Testing will expand to include people who have continued contact with someone who has the virus but show no symptoms
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9:39 p.m. (April 11)
A Publix worker at the company's South Pasadena location tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus.
The employee works at the store located at 1075 Pasadena Ave. S, Publix said in a statement; it is the fourth known individual who has tested positive for the virus in Tampa Bay.
8:45 p.m. (April 11)
Florida Health revised the statewide death toll to 446 people after reporting a different figure (458) during the evening update. The update below has reflects this change.
6:25 p.m. (April 11)
The Florida Department of Health said an additional eight people have died from COVID-19 coronavirus since the morning report. Statewide, the number of deaths stands at 446.
There are a total of 18,986 positive coronavirus cases tracked by Florida Health officials, an increase of 492 cases since the morning.
4:54 p.m. (April 11)
With concerns over the coronavirus closing schools across Florida, students had to turn to virtual or distance learning to get their education this year, but for some, that transition was not possible.
Students in remote and rural areas in Florida do not have as much access to technology -- that is, until now.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced that 32,614 laptops will be distributed to 34 of the state's smallest school districts.
“Nearly all of these students are low-income students, and Florida making the extra effort to fight for these students is another example of how Florida never relents in the fight to close achievement gaps," Corcoran said.
4:14 p.m. (April 11)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Saturday announced Florida's approval to provide those who are part of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, the ability to buy groceries online.
The change comes after the Florida Department of Children and Families filed for approval to launch the pilot program earlier this week under Gov. Ron DeSantis' direction.
This change allows Florida families to be able to buy groceries online with their Electronic Benefit Transfer card.
4:08 p.m. (April 11)
As part of the state's plan to expedite road projects during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Transportation will complete segments of the westbound general use lanes and their connection to the SR 408 interchange in the Orlando area by summer 2020.
When complete, it will be one to two months ahead of schedule.
The state says workers are able to expedite projects at a faster clip with reduced traffic on roadways.
3:27 p.m. (April 11)
Walt Disney World plans to stop paying wages to 43,000 workers in about a week while allowing them to keep their benefits for up to a year as they stay home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The deal with the workers' unions was announced on Saturday. This is the largest wave of furloughs since the theme park resort closed in mid-March.
Workers will be able to keep their medical benefits for the length of the furlough period, or up to a year.
3:24 p.m. (April 11)
The Florida Department of Health reports 438 people statewide have died from COVID-19 coronavirus.
It is tracking 18,494 cases total.
2:10 p.m. (April 11)
The Florida National Guard reports it has 2,266 guardsmen on state active duty to support its COVID-19 coronavirus response. To date, at seven statewide testing sites, there have been 36,352 samples collected.
Guardsmen also are carrying out coronavirus testing at assisted living facilities statewide, and 241 samples have been taken.
12:30 p.m. (April 11)
Gov. DeSantis says in the coming week the average of Floridians tested for COVID-19 will be about 1 in 100. Testing will expand to include people who have continued contact with someone who has the virus but shows no symptoms.
Florida will be getting Serology tests that will show when someone has antibodies from the virus but would now be immune.
11:00 a.m. (April 11)
Two more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have
died. This brings the number of deaths in the county to 14.
9:49 a.m. (April 11)
Pinellas County Schools announces it will distribute food for students once a week instead of several times a week. It is in an effort to limit the number of essential errands people are running -- and limiting the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
RELATED: Here's how Tampa Bay school districts are feeding students while COVID-19 concerns close schools
A full week's worth of food will be provided on Wednesdays, the district said. Here is the following schedule:
- Monday, April 13: 2 days worth of meals
- Wednesday, April 15: 4 days worth of meals
- Monday, April 20: 2 days worth of meals
- Wednesday, April 22: 6 days worth of meals
- Wednesday, April 29: 6 days worth of meals
Visit pcsb.org/foodlocations for more.
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7:32 p.m. (April 10)
Hillsborough County Department of Health announced three new COVID-19 related deaths in the county, bringing the total to 12.
"The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County expresses our condolences to their loved ones. We will continue to work with community partners to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the health department wrote in a release.
7:08 p.m. (April 10)
Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended his executive order suspending vacation rentals until April 30.
The original order was put in place to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus and limit the chance of those with COVID-19 possibly traveling into the state.
6:19 p.m. (April 10)
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that the unemployment CONNECT site will be unavailable tonight from 8 p.m. - 7 a.m. for maintenance.
The maintenance is set to improve the ability to process current applications quicker. The interruption will not impact new applicants according to the DOE.
5:55 p.m. (April 10)
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 17,968 cases of coronavirus and 419 deaths in the state as of Friday night.
These numbers are up 29 deaths and a total of 437 new cases from earlier reports.
Florida's peak is projected to happen mid-April.