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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.
tories that require more in-depth coverage will be posted on WTSP.com/coronavirus.
Key Facts
- The Florida Department of Health is reporting 15,698 positive cases in the state with 323 deaths
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital reports eight people have died in its system
- More than 2,270 members of the Florida National Guard are serving statewide
- A St. Petersburg police officer tested positive for COVID-19
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8:45 p.m. (April 8)
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced a new, mobile-friendly online Reemployment Assistance application for new applicants and Floridians who have previously been unable to begin or complete an application.
Click here for more information.
8:10 p.m. (April 8)
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-97, delaying elections in Pasco County at the request of Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.
6:06 p.m. (April 8)
The Florida Department of Health reports 14 more people have died from COVID-19 coronavirus since the morning update, bringing the state's death toll to 323.
There are a total of 15,698 cases statewide, which is an increase of 242 since the morning update.
According to health department data, the number of deaths has climbed by at least 25 since April 3.
4:42 p.m. (April 8)
Sarasota Memorial Hospital reports one of its patients with COVID-19 coronavirus has died, bringing the total number of deaths there to eight.
The hospital currently is caring for 32 people, and 44 patients who tested positive have been discharged from the hospital and are being monitored.
Ten employees have tested positive for the virus and are being monitored from home, which is up from eight since Tuesday.
3:29 p.m. (April 8)
Mounds of harvested zucchini and yellow squash ripened and then rotted in the hot Florida sun. Juicy tomatoes were left to wither — unpicked — in farmers' fields.
Thousands of acres of fruits and vegetables grown in Florida are being plowed over or left to rot because farmers can’t sell to restaurants, theme parks or schools nationwide that have closed because of the coronavirus.
Other states are having the same issues — agriculture officials say leafy greens in California are being hit especially hard, and dairy farmers in Vermont and Wisconsin say they have had to dump a surplus of milk intended for restaurants.
3:11 p.m. (April 8)
The Florida National Guard reports there are 2,277 guardsmen on active state duty helping to operate seven community testing sites in response to the state's COVID-19 coronavirus, according to a news release.
To date, more than 29,539 test samples have been taken across all seven sites in South Florida.
The state's National Gaurd also is supporting airport screenings, including operations at Tampa International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport.
10:51 a.m. (April 8)
The Florida Health Department is reporting 15,456 positive cases in the state with 309 deaths.
New data compiled by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects a coronavirus peak in Florida on April 21 for both deaths per day and hospital resource use.
DEATHS PER DAY
Researchers believe COVID-19 daily deaths will reach an all-time high in the state of Florida on April 21, 2020, with 242 deaths.
The IHME data projects 6,770 total deaths in Florida by August 4.
10:18 a.m. (April 8)
Sarasota County Commissioners discuss how to save local businesses and whether $4.5 million in Economic Development Corporation funds will be used to help support them through grants.
If commissioners vote on using EDC funds to help small businesses, David Bullock (EDC Interim CEO) says the allocation of funds will be based on a first come first serve basis.
"Every single business we’ve talked to has laid people off or are on the verge of laying people off."
7:44 p.m. (April 7)
Metropolitan Ministries said it has temporarily suspended its COVID-19 coronavirus financial assistance because of "staggering demand," it said in a news release.
The agency said it needs to "catch up" and plans to resume on April 15.
There have been a total of 1,703 requests, with 75 percent of them for rental assistance and 25 percent for utility assistance -- 450 have not been acted upon because of demand, Metropolitan Ministries said.
"It will take $1.5 million to fulfill these requests for one month," the release states.
Normal work, including serving 3,000 meals a day, shelter and care for 140 families and more than 300 children, will continue.
7:43 p.m. (April 7)
Two people have died from COVID-19 coronavirus in Hillsborough County, bringing its total to seven people, according to the Florida Department of Health.
- Hundreds of American, Southwest airlines employees test positive for COVID-19
- NYC virus deaths exceed 3,200, topping the number of people who died on 9/11
- Coronavirus forecast: April 21 projected as Florida's peak
- COVID-19 in your neighborhood: You can track Florida coronavirus cases by zip code
- When will your federal stimulus check arrive?
- Hotlines, websites offer the latest on COVID-19
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