BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Friday, April 24

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 Friday, April 24. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

8:36 PM

• President Donald Trump says he won’t approve a $10 billion loan for the U.S. Postal Service unless the agency raises charges for Amazon and other big shippers to four to five times current rates.

8:06 PM

• CDC reminds Americans not to consume disinfectants amid the spread of COVID-19

7:54 PM

• College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving offers free moving services for domestic violence victims

7:18 PM

• Officials say the top Navy officer has recommended the reinstatement of the aircraft carrier captain fired for sending a fraught email to commanders pleading for faster action to protect his crew from a coronavirus outbreak.

6:34 PM

• Florida’s governor says his administration plans to let pharmacists administer tests for the new coronavirus to expand availability of testing for the general public.

5:40 PM

• Department of Health reports 30,533 positive COVID-19 cases, death toll is at 1,046

4:10 PM

• The Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed the deaths of two additional residents from Pinellas County nursing homes.

3:14 PM

• Hillsborough County is partnering up with the University of South Florida to tackle barriers that keep people from getting tested for COVID-19.

2:45 PM

• Florida shuts its unemployment website down for three days to help the state catch up on unprocessed claims, DEO says.

12:40 PM

• Trump signs $484 billion measure into law to aid employers, hospitals

10:55 AM

• The number of coronavirus deaths in Florida has reached the 1,000 mark. Total number of cases surpass 30,000.

10:35 AM

• The City of Pinellas Park Small Business Relief Program is closing their application process until further noticed due to an overwhelming response.

8:26 AM

• The coronavirus testing site at Adventure Island is closed Friday due to weather. Anyone who was registered for an appointment will get a call to reschedule. The site is set to re-open Monday at 9 a.m.

8:07 AM

• Vast majority of Americans whose households lost jobs due to coronavirus think those jobs will come back.

7:23 AM

• Global cases surpass 2.7 million.
• US death toll nears 50,000.
• China reports no new deaths for 9th straight day.

Important updates from Thursday, April 23

• 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing 5-week total to 26 million
• Elizabeth Warren's oldest brother dies from COVID-19.
• Two more residents at the Freedom Square of Seminole rehabilitation center have died from COVID-19. That brings the total deaths to seven.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Wednesday, April 22

• California officials find earliest known US fatalities from virus.
• Sarasota County Commissioners vote to reopen beaches starting Monday for recreation only, parking lots will stay closed.
• Key model used by White House says social distancing measures should continue into May or June.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Tuesday, April 21

• Senate approves $500 billion COVID-19 relief bill after bipartisan deal.
• WHO warns people must be ready for 'new way of living.'
• Germany cancels Oktoberfest 2020 due to pandemic.
• FDA gives emergency approval for at-home nasal swab coronavirus test.
• Missouri attorney general sues China over coronavirus pandemic.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Monday, April 20

• President Trump says he will suspend immigration into the United States amid coronavirus concerns.
• Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses
• To view more updates, click here.

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