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Coronavirus in Florida: State sees the largest increase of deaths yet

Florida Health reports 571 people have died from COVID-19 coronavirus, an increase of 72 people since Monday evening.

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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 21,628 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state with 571 deaths.
  • Gov. Ron DeSantis said there are more than 1,000 people answering the phones to help process unemployment claims.
  • St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman closes dog parks, increases eligibility of the city's "Fighting Chance Fund."

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10:57 p.m. (April 14)

Walt Disney World workers "wouldn't get any special place in line" but are being considered to be automatically enrolled in the state's troubled unemployment system when they are furloughed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

About 43,000 workers are set to join thousands more who will be furloughed on April 19 after Disney shut down its parks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DeSantis during a news conference Tuesday said "it probably would be better for everyone" if the state and a large employer who has announced a massive round of furloughs could work together.

In Disney's case, it's possible the company could send employee information to Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity to process unemployment applications.

RELATED: Thousands of Disney workers could automatically get entered in Florida's unemployment system

9:47 p.m. (April 14)

First responders and health care employees are getting a little bit of extra shopping time to avoid the crowds at Publix during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The grocery company announced it is designating Thursday evenings and Friday mornings for those front-line workers. It begins Thursday, April 16.

RELATED: Publix offers extended shopping hours for first responders, hospital staff

8:07 p.m. (April 14)

A Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, or HART, bus driver tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus.

Employees were told about the case in a letter sent within the organization; it did not detail whether the person is a bus driver or otherwise. However, a representative from the union for HART employees tells 10Investigates the employee is a bus driver.

"Understandably, there will be anxieties surrounding this announcement," the letter read, in part. "We respectfully ask all to honor employee privacy."

RELATED: HART bus driver tests positive for coronavirus

7:46 p.m. (April 14)

A Sarasota nurse is now in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.

The nurse worked in the Carroll Center Skilled Nursing neighborhood within The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch.

The facility sent an email Tuesday night to 10News outlining the information it learned.

The nurse, who was asymptomatic and last worked at The Glenridge on April 4, was tested as a precautionary measure because they live in the same house as someone who had tested positive on April 6.

RELATED: Sarasota nurse tests positive for coronavirus

6:20 p.m. (April 14)

The Florida Department Health reports the number of COVID-19 coronavirus deaths has climbed to 571. It is an increase of 47 people since the morning update and an increase of 72 people since Monday evening.

The new figure is the largest day-to-day increase in deaths since the agency began tracking numbers.

Florida Health said it is tracking a total of 21,628 positive cases of coronavirus.

4 p.m. (April 14)

There now are more than 1,000 people answering the phones to help assist Florida residents through the unemployment process, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, though the website leaves more to be desired.

The crush of people filing through the Department of Economic Opportunity's neglected online system has created a backlog of applications that have yet to be processed.

DeSantis offered a few advancements during a news conference Tuesday: Wait times on the phones have "improved dramatically," and the first batch of federal checks have gone out today.

RELATED: Florida has more people to answer unemployment call crush, but not many claims processed

RELATED: Poll: As most governors get a boost from the pandemic, Florida’s governor is losing ground

Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis gives update on COVID-19

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s emergency management director are going over Florida’s continuing response to the coronavirus pandemic. https://bit.ly/2XBlZCI

Posted by 10 Tampa Bay on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

3:46 p.m. (April 14)

Sarasota Memorial Hospital reports its staff is caring for 25 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus. Sixty-two people who tested positive and were treated have been discharged, according to a news release.

Two people have died since the hospital's Monday update, bringing the total number of deaths at the facility to 12.

3:30 p.m. (April 14)

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman provided an update to the city's response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Citing concerns about people not embracing social distancing, Kriseman said the city will shut down dog parks, tennis courts and other parks.

He also announced the city will expand its "Fighting Chance Fund" to allow more people to apply. This includes the following:

  • An owner of a St. Petersburg business does not have to live within city limits. 
  • The business is eligible only if it's been open for six months, rather than one year.
  • Travel agencies are now eligible.
  • Individuals are eligible if they worked at a business in St. Petersburg that falls within four categories and employed 25 people or fewer.

"More help is on the way," Kriseman said.

So far, the city received about 1,800 applications and awarded roughly $77,000 to individuals and businesses.

Kriseman said, at this time, the city is not considering implementing a curfew like other municipalities have done, like Hillsborough County. He, too, encourages people to wear face coverings to go out and continue practicing social distancing.

RELATED: St. Petersburg expands who's eligible for 'Fighting Chance Fund'

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Rick Kriseman:

Posted by City of St. Petersburg, Florida USA on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

11:30 a.m. (April 14)

The Florida Department of Health is reporting 21,367 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state with 524 deaths.

11:13 a.m. (April 14)

The City of Tampa is starting a COVID-19 relief fund for eligible residents and small businesses. It is called One Tampa.  

It will help pay one month of rent, utilities and mortgages. Individuals or families can get up to $1,00 for rent or mortgages and up to $250 for utilities. 

Small businesses can get up to $4,000 for rent or mortgages and $1,000 for utilities. 

10 a.m. (April 14)

Both the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they were confused about the county's new curfew. 

Tampa PD said it responded to one call around 9 p.m. about a person walking their dog and they did not cite them

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they had zero calls and no arrests after the curfew took effect. 

The applications will be available starting Friday, April 17 at noon. 

You can find more information here.

6:00 a.m. (April 14)

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is set to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to talk about COVID-19 relief efforts for the city's residents and small businesses. 

7:48 p.m. (April 13)

The state of Florida considers the WWE an essential business during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings confirmed during a news conference Monday that consideration likely changed from the onset. Thousands of businesses statewide are operating at limited capacity or are closed because of the governor's stay at home order.

"I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business," Demings said. "With some conversation with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. 

"So, therefore, they were allowed to remain open."

RELATED: WWE deemed an essential business in Florida

7:39 p.m. (April 13)

During a telephone town hall event with U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, the lawmaker called upon Gov. Ron DeSantis to increase the amount of unemployment money dispersed in Florida.

Each week, for up to 12 weeks, a person is eligible for $275 in unemployment benefits from the state. Crist and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor agree it is insufficient.

YOUTUBE: 10News coverage of coronavirus in Florida

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