FLORIDA – ABC Action News is committed to providing Tampa Bay area residents all of the updates on the coronavirus, COVID-19, and the impact it's having on our way of life. To help you stay on top of it all, we've compiled all the updates for Tuesday, May 5. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
7:00 PM
- Citrus County announces it will reopen Fort Island Gulf Beach and Hernando Beach at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
3:45 PM
- Pinellas County leaders extended the local state of emergency to May 15. The county allowed the conditional reopening of shared pools last Thursday and opened public beaches with social distancing requirements on Monday. Residents are encouraged to wear a mask or some form of face covering while out in public.
12:27 PM
10:48 AM
- Department of Health reports 37,439 positive COVID-19 cases, 1,471 deaths
10:30 AM
- Three more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. This brings the number of deaths to 32.
9:53 AM
- New York state is now reporting more than 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes and adult care facilities as the state faces scrutiny over how it’s protected vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
9:27 AM
- French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed plans to gradually reopen schools next week amid concerns from mayors, teachers and parents about the timing.
9:22 AM
- Britain has become the first country in Europe to confirm more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths, and infections are rising sharply again in Russia.
8:04 AM
- The U.N. human rights office says conditions in many prisons in the Americas are “deeply worrying” as COVID-19 spreads in many overcrowded facilities that lack hygiene.
6:31 AM
- Greece’s prime minister says it appears “absolutely feasible” for restaurants and cafes to reopen on June 1 if the coronavirus outbreak keeps slowing.
4:50 AM
- Florida Aquarium will re-open on Friday, May 15 with strict limits on attendance and programming and is implementing new standard operating procedures and enhanced health and safety measures to safeguard guests, staff, and animals. Tickets must be reserved in advance starting on May 7 here.
4:30 AM
- Treasury says it will have to borrow a record $2.99 trillion in current quarter to deal with pandemic.
Important updates from Monday, May 4
- J Crew officially files for bankruptcy amid pandemic
- New numbers show 819 new COVID-19 cases in Florida, 20 new deaths
- Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will direct the state inspector general to investigate Florida's CONNECT system
- MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre launches a refund plan for those who bought tickets.
- Carnival Cruise Line advised guests and travel agents of plan to phase in a resumption in North American service this summer, beginning on August 1
Important updates from Sunday, May 3
- NFL says it plans to start season on time despite coronavirus concerns
- DOH reports 615 new coronavirus cases in Flroida, death toll now at 1,379.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he was so sick from the coronavirus that doctors had discussed what to say if he had died.
- Italy's Health Ministry: number of deaths in 24-hour period ending Sunday was lowest day-to-day since March 10.
- Trump says a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available by the end of the year.
- U.S. officials believe China covered up the extent of the coronavirus outbreak — and how contagious the disease is — to stock up on medical supplies needed to respond to it.
Important updates from Saturday, May 2
- DOH launches pop-up COVID-19 testing site in St. Pete
- Siesta Key businesses are ready to welcome back customers Monday
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate leader Mitch McConnell decline offer of quick COVID-19 tests
- April 30 and May 1 marked the deadliest 48 hours in the United States’ fight against COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
- University of Tampa will hold its first-ever virtual commencement ceremony on May 9 at 11 a.m. More information will be given out on Monday.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Friday, May 1
- A number of major airlines have announced in recent days that face coverings will be required on flights during the spread of COVID-19.
- Hundreds of extra deputies will be on Pinellas County beaches to make sure people are social distancing starting Monday.
- Pasco County is reopening five public parks over the weekend.
- Recommendations, which were intended to guide Disney World and Universal Studio, showed that capacity at the attractions should be initially capped at 50%.
- DEO confirmed to ABC Action News' I-Team that they launched a new page that makes sure Floridians who applied for unemployment are paid retroactively to when they lost their jobs, not to when they were able to apply.
- Gov. DeSantis announces Florida state parks will reopen Monday, May 4.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Thursday, April 30
- 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing 6-week total to 30 million.
- NASCAR announced season will resume May 17 with seven races in 10 days, including four in elite Cup Series.
- 1 million people have now recovered from coronavirus around the world
- Lakeland Wawa temporarily shuts down after an employee tests positive for coronavirus
- To view more updates, click here.