As coronavirus cases approach 2,000 in Florida, including an additional 500 on Wednesday alone, Osceola County joined Orange in issuing a stay-at-home order for two weeks starting at 11 p.m. Thursday in hopes of slowing down the spread of the infectious virus. Cases in Orange County jumped by more than 70 percent on Wednesday, according to the state.
As of Thursday morning, there are 1,977 cases in Florida, nearly 70,000 cases nationwide and over 475,000 globally, according to the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.
The death toll reached 23 for Florida, more than 1,000 for the U.S. and more than 21,000 worldwide, including about 7,500 in Italy. The situation in New York has rapidly grown worse, with more than nearly 33,000 cases and 365 deaths.
Speaking in Orange County earlier Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis stood by his position that a statewide shutdown to protect against the coronavirus isn’t necessary. He said the stay-at-home mandate is better suited for hard-hit areas of the state such as South Florida.
President Donald Trump declared Florida a “major disaster,” which will allow federal funding to help across the state where the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact.
The Senate late Wednesday passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The unanimous vote came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted a national challenge unlike it has ever faced. The deal would put $1,200 per adult and $500 per child into Americans’ bank accounts to stem the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin predicted most Americans would get a check in the next three weeks. The House must first pass the bill, which some predict could happen by Friday, and then it would head to the president.
In Orange County, the free drive-thru site opened at the Orange County Convention Center where health officials aided by the National Guard tested nearly 250 people. But 81 people had to be turned away because they didn’t meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria: people 65 and older with COVID-19 symptoms, as well as first responders or health-care workers. The site will be open Thursday but can only administer 250 tests.
If a person meets the requirements for testing during the pre-screening, they are then directed to another location for the test.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
The county on Tuesday passed a stay-at-home order to go in effect at 11 p.m. Thursday. It applies to Orlando and the other 12 cities in the county as well. Non-essential businesses will close. Osceola’s order is similar. Read the order here.
Both Orange and Osceola counties remain under an 11 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew order.
Seminole and Lake counties have thus far held out of issuing a stay-at-home order, where officials said they remain unconvinced of the merits of such drastic restrictions in reducing spread of the virus.
Several other regions across the state have similar orders including Alachua and Miami-Dade counties.
Though there is no statewide order, DeSantis has asked people 65 and older and those with medical conditions self-isolate for 14 days, a recommendation from the state’s surgeon general.
South Florida remains the epicenter of coronavirus cases in the state, with Miami-Dade (491), Broward (412) and Palm Beach (141) accounting for more than half of the state’s overall cases.
In Central Florida, Orange County has 89 cases, followed by Osceola’s 39, Seminole’s 32, Volusia’s 28, Lake’s 22, Sumter’s 18, Polk’s 15 and Brevard’s 12. (See details on all Central Florida cases).
Click here for a timeline of how the coronavirus crisis grew in Central Florida.
You can find a running summary of the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Orlando area and Florida below. Also, sign up for new daily Florida coronavirus update by subscribing to The Health Report newsletter and as-they-happen Breaking News emails at OrlandoSentinel.com/newsletters
Latest news
Aren’t New York flyers supposed to be screened in Florida? It might be less than you thought
Despite an order from the governor, travelers from the New York City area seemed to enter Florida on Wednesday with far less screening for coronavirus than the governor suggested.
“No screening — not getting on or not getting off,” said a Florida resident who was wearing a protective mask as he waited at a desolate baggage carousal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The traveler said no one took his temperature and no one asked him any questions.
His remarks appeared to conflict with Gov. Ron Desantis’ promise to clamp down on people fleeing the NYC area amid the growing coronavirus outbreak there. New York on Wednesday accounted for more than 30,000 cases of the virus, half of the number for the entire U.S.
UCF and other Florida universities will offer pass/fail option for spring
Many Florida universities, including UCF, will allow students to complete their spring semester courses on a pass/fail basis amid concerns about how the coronavirus pandemic and an unexpected switch to online-only courses might affect GPAs.
Students in most of the University of Central Florida’s undergraduate and graduate programs will be allowed to opt for satisfactory/unsatisfactory marks instead of traditional A-to-F grades for spring courses, as will their peers at Florida State University and the University of South Florida. The University of Florida also said Wednesday it was working on such an option.
As Florida’s economy crashes, DeSantis says he’s going ahead with $543 million in tax refunds for corporations
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to go ahead with more than a half-billion dollars in tax refunds for the state’s largest corporations — even as the state economy crashes amid the spreading coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature committed to the corporate tax refunds — which will total $543 million — two years ago, long before lawmakers had any idea how big they would be. The state hasn’t paid them out yet and doesn’t have to until May 1.
Bobby Bowden tells Mike Bianchi that not even World War II shut down our nation like coronavirus
Orlando Sentinel sports columnist Mike Bianchi writes: Isn’t it frightening that Bowden, the legendary Florida State football coach, has lived through so much in his 90 years on this earth, but he’s never seen anything like this. He’s never seen the sports world go completely dark.
“Not even World War II was like this dad-gum coronavirus,” Bobby says during a phone conversation from his home in Tallahassee. “I’ve never seen everything shut down like this. I’ve never seen every sport shut down like this.”
UCF AD Danny White PSA urges people to stay home, practice social distancing
UCF athletics director Danny White is urging people to practice social distancing and stay home in response to the coronavirus pandemic. White posted a video on Twitter Wednesday afternoon asking fans to help fight spread of the disease.
“Hey Knight Nation, coming to you from my house. We’re practicing social distancing. Staying safe and healthy with my family,” White said in the 51-second message.
“But I want to talk to you today about conquering this virus. We’ve won a lot of championships over the years here at UCF and your investment and pride and ownership of this athletics department has been a big part of that. Now, I want you to focus on beating this virus. Let’s win this championship.”
36-year-old high school principal from Brooklyn, New York, dies from coronavirus complications
Dez-Ann Romain, principal of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy, a public high school, always kept her office neat and freshened with new flowers, and kept the school decorated with inspirational quotes.
Romain died Monday from complications of the coronavirus — the first known death of a New York City public school staff member from the virus. She was 36.
Florida coronavirus updates: President declares ‘major disaster’ in Florida
President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared there is a “major disaster” in Florida, two days after Gov. Ron DeSantis requested that designation because of impacts from the new coronavirus.
The action clears the way for federal funding to help all areas in the state that have been hit by the public health emergency.
Publix installs plexiglass at registers after Georgia employee tests positive for coronavirus
Publix plans to install plexiglass at registers, customer service desks and pharmacies at every one of its grocery stores as concerns over coronavirus continue to grow.
The plexiglass will begin to be installed this weekend and is expected to be complete for all stores within the next two weeks, spokeswoman Maria Brous said. Publix has more than 100 stores in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties.
Tony Awards postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
The Tony Awards are the latest industry event to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The American Theatre Wing, which backs the show, confirmed Wednesday that the 74th edition of the annual celebration of the best of theater will be pushed back indefinitely. It was originally scheduled to air live on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 7 from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. However, Broadway has been closed since March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with producers tentatively setting April 12 as the date that theaters will reopen. That may have been optimistic given that the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow and New York City is at the epicenter of the public health crisis.
Coronavirus continues to hammer hotels, as occupancy drops 75% over last year
Hotel room occupancy in Central Florida plummeted 75% during the third week in March compared to last year, a new report showed, as the region’s top industry continues to take a beating from the coronavirus pandemic.
In the tourism-driven Orlando economy, the report reveals that nearly 100,000 hotel rooms in Central Florida have been left unoccupied during the pandemic, which has so far killed 23 people in the state.
Elton John to host TV, radio concert on Sunday as coronavirus antidote
Elton John is hosting a “living room” concert aimed at bolstering American spirits during the coronavirus crisis and saluting those countering it, iHeartMedia and Fox said Wednesday.
Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw and Billie Joe Armstrong are scheduled to take part in the event airing at 9-10 p.m. EDT Sunday on Fox TV and on iHeartMedia radio stations.
Thinking about growing a coronavirus hiatus beard? Read this first
The recently issued order shuttering all nonessential businesses through at least April 19 in an effort to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, has left many people out of work, many others working from home and many questions such as “Should I get this cough checked out?” “What businesses are open?” and “Should I grow a beard?“
The last of those might, at first blush, seem silly in the context of a global pandemic, but it’s one that’s probably crossed many a man’s mind after realizing that next month (at the very least) will be an opportunity to depart from the grooming rituals of normal daily life. (Who doesn’t remember the “strike beard” phenomenon that grew out of the Writers Guild of America strike from November 2007 to February 2008?)
While governor fiddles, local governments like Orange take charge | Editorial
As DeSantis continued to resist a statewide shutdown, local governments like Orange and Osceola counties are increasingly forced to take the lead in fighting the spread of coronavirus, the Orlando Sentinel’s Editorial Board argues here. The editorial urges other Central Florida counties to institute stay-at-home orders.
Orlando airport, I-4, Virgin Trains construction progresses
With the coronavirus outbreak stalling Central Florida’s economy and employment, three mega-construction jobs worth many billions of dollars are pausing only for safety briefings on how to avoid catching COVID-19. Work continues at Orlando International Airport’s expansion with a new terminal, the remake of Interstate 4 through Orlando and the Virgin Trains extension from South Florida to the airport.
Orlando’s airport is a ghost town, though, with traveler counts down by nearly 80 percent, plunging from nearly 70,000 outbound passengers daily to about 10,000, said airport director Phil Brown.
Isolation – not ICU – was toughest for Seminole County couple
A trip to to Jordan and Egypt was on Paula and John Kessinger’s bucket list. When they got back, they learned both had coronavirus. Paula ended up in the hospital for nine days. For over a week, they couldn’t be together. “That was the hardest part for me,” John said. “I can’t imagine being in a room alone for nine days with very little contact, so it had to be really draining on her.”
Bomb threat in Orlando
A man called in a bomb threat to the Orlando Police Department late Tuesday, threatening to blow up the agency’s headquarters and other nearby buildings because people are being “put… out of work” due to the coronavirus crisis, an arrest report said. Police did not find any explosives.
Laws shut Uber, GrubHub, other gig workers out of Florida jobless benefits
Like lots of other employees across Florida, many of the workers who make the emerging “gig economy” possible have seen their incomes shrivel as businesses close and people isolate at home. Unlike other lots of other employees across Florida, many of those Uber drivers and Handy home-repair men and women are frozen out of the state’s unemployment insurance system — thanks to laws that fast-growing technology companies have lobbied for, both in Florida and across much of the country.
Laid off? Florida unemployment system set up to hose you | Commentary
Floridians everywhere are losing their jobs right now. Yet when they file for benefits that might help keep a roof over their heads, they run head-first into a rough reality: Florida’s unemployment system was set up to stiff them, columnist Scott Maxwell says.
Concerns mount that Florida, U.S. could emerge as epicenter
Concerns are mounting that Florida could emerge as an epicenter in the coronavirus pandemic with a World Health Organization official ringing the alarm about rising cases in the United States. The latest state numbers show that known cases of the new coronavirus have risen to more than 1,400 people, or about twice the number it was just four days ago. Most of those cases are in South Florida, which is a hot zone for the virus in Florida.
White House, Senate reach unprecedented $2 trillion stimulus deal
The White House and Senate leaders of both parties struck an agreement late Tuesday on a sweeping $2 trillion measure to aid workers, businesses and a health care system strained by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. A one-time payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child would go directly to the public. The urgently needed measure is the largest economic rescue bill in history. It is intended as a weekslong or monthslong patch for an economy spiraling into recession — or worse — and a nation facing a potentially ghastly toll.
Sen. Romney tests negative
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah says he has tested negative for the coronavirus. Romney posted on Twitter, “Thankfully I’ve tested negative for COVID-19.” He says guidance from his physician, consistent with CDC guidelines, requires him to remain in quarantine. He says the test “does not rule out the onset of symptoms during the 14-day period.”
Spain deaths surge, surpass China
Spain has now the world’s second-highest tally of coronavirus deaths after a 738 spike was recorded Wednesday, the highest so far in one day. With 3,434, Spain surpassed China’s 3,285 and has more than half of Italy’s 6,820. Infections also rose on Wednesday by 20% from a day earlier to 47,610, Spain’s Ministry of Health announced. More than 5,000 people have recovered, the ministry said.
The coronavirus is waging a war of attrition against health care workers throughout the world, but nowhere is it winning more battles at the moment than in Italy and in Spain, where protective equipment and tests have been in severely short supply for weeks.
Orange health officials randomly testing in assisted living, long-term care facilities
Fifty people were randomly tested at five assisted living or long-term care facilities in Orange County this week, and health officials expect the results any day now. Raul Pino, local officer for the state health department, said the decision was made to conduct the “sentinel” testing in places with the most vulnerable elderly populations based on how the virus spread through such facilities in Washington state.
“We don’t want that to repeat in Florida,” he said.
There have been at least three deaths at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale.
2 more cruise deaths
Two infected Australians aboard cruise ships have died on consecutive days, bringing the nation’s death toll to nine. Queensland Health said a 68-year-old man who had a serious underlying medical condition died in Toowoomba on Wednesday. He was a passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas, which docked in Sydney on March 18, the day the Australian government banned cruise ship arrivals for a month. A 77-year-old woman who died on Tuesday arrived in Sydney a day later aboard Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess.
Florida nearly ready to house, isolate patients who don’t need hospitals
The vague term ‘isolation shelters’ can conjure up the horrifying conditions in Italy. Nobody wants to think of a family member dying alone. But is that what DeSantis meant Saturday when he said he’s considering the use of isolation shelters in Florida?
Isolation shelters range from Hong Kong’s high-end hotels, where people can order room service, to China’s unstable hotel that collapsed on people who were quarantined. And then there are the terrifying images from Italy of coffins awaiting burial, people in isolation who passed away without seeing their family members.
DeSantis says isolation shelters — for people who test positive or show COVID-19 symptoms but do not need hospitalization — would be only one part of Florida’s plan to curb the spread. He is monitoring the numbers and said he would open shelters if too many people who test positive return home and infect their families.
Ride openings could delayed at Orlando theme parks
SeaWorld Orlando’s latest million-dollar investment is frozen at a standstill. Fully built, the Ice Breaker roller coaster has its trains placed on the track, but no employees are testing it. Some analysts predict the new lineup of theme-park attractions originally set to open this spring or early summer will be pushed back. New Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando attractions could be affected, too.
Prince Charles tests positive
Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The prince’s Clarence House office says the 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland. It says his wife Camilla has tested negative.
Orlandoans inspire foodies to #SupportLocal with Takeout Bingo
Service-minded locals have found creative new ways to drive support to Orlando restaurants suffering during the coronavirus downturn. Takeout Bingo is a fun one!
DeSantis considers moratorium on evictions
Thousands of Floridians recently laid off due to the coronavirus’ shutdown of the tourism industry are facing looming rent payments on April 1, but DeSantis hasn’t placed a moratorium on evictions or monthly rental or mortgage payments despite pressure from Democratic state lawmakers.
Orlando’s smaller arts groups turn to online fundraising
The Breakthrough Theatre’s Wade Hair knew he didn’t have any time to lose. Theresa Smith-Levin of Central Florida Vocal Arts watched her organization’s recent advancements slipping away. And at Theater West End in Sanford, Derek Critzer wondered how he could ask supporters to reach into their wallets again. As the spread of coronavirus — and the resulting social isolation — began wreaking havoc on cultural organizations, some of the region’s smallest and most vulnerable groups realized they would have to act quickly in order to survive. All turned to the internet.
Orlando sewers unite to make homemade masks for hospitals. But do they work?
As medical masks, particularly the N95 regulators coveted for their effectiveness, become more scarce, Orlando sewers are helping to fill the gaps. It’s unclear how much protection the homemade gear provides — the Centers for Disease Control said they should be used as a last resort — but the gesture is evidence of how many people want to help doctors, nurses and others on the front line of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Winter Springs couple stranded at sea
It’s been three days since a Winter Springs couple have been able to step out of their tiny cruise ship cabin and breathe in fresh air. What started out as a dream cruise around South America, has turned into a nightmare. Now, they just want to get home.
Laura Gabaroni and her husband, Juan Huergo, are among the 1,243 passengers aboard the Holland America Zaandam cruise ship that were told on Sunday to not leave their cabins after 42 people — including 13 guests and 29 crew members — reported flu-like symptoms.
Tip of the day
Get in the habit of touching things like door handles and crosswalk buttons with your left hand (if you’re right-handed), so you’re less likely to touch your face, but wash and sanitize often nonetheless.
Symptoms? Do this
Call your health-care provider if you have cough, fever and shortness of breath — and you’ve been in close contact with someone how has COVID-19 or has recently traveled to one of the following countries, where the virus transmission is widespread: China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
How to protect yourself
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with persons in poor health.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow these recommendations for using a face mask: CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask. The masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of masks are also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings.
Questions? Here are numbers to call
The Florida Department of Health has set up a call center to answer questions about coronavirus. There’s a number for Orange County, too.
The Florida Department of Health’s number is 1-866-779-6121 and is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can also email questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
In Orange County, the number to call is 407-723-5004; it’s available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For accurate, up-to-date information, visit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
The Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19. For questions, call the COVID-19 call center at 866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
A live map of COVID-19 cases around the globe: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
You want to be extra-prepared? Here’s how to stock up before a pandemic: ready.gov/pandemic
For the latest coronavirus updates, visit OrlandoSentinel.com/coronavirus and follow @orlandosentinel on Twitter.
See complete coverage at OrlandoSentinel.com/coronavirus.
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com.
![NEW YORK (AP) — “Judge Judy” Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents. The story was first published on InTouch […]](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Judge_Judy_Lawsuit_83837.jpg?w=468 "NEW YORK (AP) — “Judge Judy” Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents. The story was first published on InTouch […]")