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 Monday, March 23. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
11:00 PM
DOH reports 1,227 cases in Florida (1,147 Florida residents and 80 non-Florida residents) and 17 deaths.
8:15 PM
- Three people test positive at the MacDill Air Force Base.
7:00 PM
- President Donald Trump announced the Oct. 1 deadline to implement a program that requires those using a state-issued ID to fly on commercial airplanes to have a "REAL ID" will be pushed back.
5:04 PM
- Governor DeSantis to order 14-day quarantine on anyone flying from NY/NJ to FL.
Gov. DeSantis to issue executive order making people flying New York & New Jersey to quarantine for 2 weeks
5:00 PM
- Gov. Ron DeSantis doubles down on his stance on avoiding a statewide shutdown. He said it is “not advisable” to issue a stay-at-home order for all Floridians.
4:32 PM
- British Prime Minster Boris Johnson orders closure of most stores, bans gatherings for three weeks to stop coronavirus.
4:02 PM
- Stocks end a bumpy day lower, despite more aid from the Fed, as virus aid package stalls in Congress again; Dow off 3%.
3:51 PM
- Tampa Theatre show suspension extended through April 30
3:23 PM
2:02 PM
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to avoid imposing a statewide lock down, saying he still believes targeting the counties hardest hit by the coronavirus for the most extreme measures is the preferable path.
1:15 PM
- Florida Lottery closes Headquarters and all district offices to the public until further notice.
12:30 AM
- City of Tampa announces program that connects local restaurants with nonprofits to redistribute food donations. If you would like to donate food contact Pete Lenhardt with Feeding Tampa Bay at plenhardt@feedingtampabay.org or 727-741-3193; or contact Paula Dang with Metropolitan Ministries at Paula.Dang@metromin.org or 813-209-1226.
11:00 AM
- 164 new COVID-19 cases reported in Florida by Florida Department of Health, bringing state's total to 1,171.
10:30 AM
- Bucs cancel draft party scheduled for April 23
8:30 AM
- All buildings in the City of Venice closed to the public effective Monday
6:30 AM
- Humane Society of Tampa Bay is facing a shortage of medical supplies, specifically Isopropyl Alcohol. They're asking the community for help with donations.
6:00 AM
- Lakeland Regional Health is limiting visitors to its facilities with some exceptions and stopping all elective procedures.
5:00 AM
- Effective Monday, all Florida State Parks are closed to the public.
Important updates from Sunday, March 22
- Five University of Tampa students test positive for coronavirus.
- Gov. DeSantis announces the opening of a drive-thru testing site at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
- Hawaii's governor has instituted a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine starting Thursday of all people traveling to the state as part of efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.
- Republican Sen. Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. This makes him the first known U.S. senator to be diagnosed with the virus at the center of the pandemic.
- Florida now has over 1K positive COVID-19 cases, says Department of Health.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Saturday, March 21
- City of Tampa mayor says a stay-at-home order is likely in the coming days.
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital has confirmed that three additional patients tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday.
- President Trump says coronavirus now reported in 148 countries.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Friday, March 20
- Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture urges Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide "stay-at-home" order for all Floridians.
- An active-duty sailor who is assigned to MacDill Air Force Base tests positive for coronavirus, officials say.
- Doctors Hospital of Sarasota confirms that a physician tests positive for COVID-19.
- Gov. DeSantis says restaurants are allowed to deliver alcohol with meals.
- Executive Order in Florida directs all restaurants and food establishments within the state to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers.
- U.S. and Mexico agree to end all non-essential travel between the border of the two countries
- Florida Keys closing to visitors starting Sunday, March 22
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Thursday, March 19
- Italy surpasses China in COVID-19-related deaths, death toll now above 3,400
- President Trump, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn announce officials are looking into two drugs to treat COVID-19.
- Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the release of 164 "low level, nonviolent" offenders from county jails.
- Officials announce all Manatee County public beaches will close at 6 a.m. Friday. All Sarasota County beaches will close at 6 a.m. Saturday.
- Labor Department says unemployment claims rose by 70,000 last week.
- All beaches in the City of Anna Maria will be closed effective 6 a.m. Friday 3/20/20 until further notice.
- The U.S. State Department issues a level 4 travel advisory, warning Americans to avoid all international travel.
- To view more updates, click here.
→ CORONAVIRUS CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA
Important updates from Wednesday, March 18
- City votes to shut down Clearwater Beach starting March 23 at 6 a.m.
- City of Tampa closes all beaches
- Trump says Department Housing and Urban Development to suspend foreclosures and evictions through April
- Treasury proposal: Deliver $500B in checks to millions of Americans, first round coming April 6
- Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the immediate suspension of evictions in the county
- To view more updates, click here.
→ CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY INTERACTIVE MAP
Important updates from Tuesday, March 17