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 Sunday, April 19. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
8:38 PM
- President Donald Trump says his administration and Congress are getting close to a deal on an aid package of up to $450 billion.
7:13 PM
- During a briefing at the White House on Sunday, President Donald Trump said he would use the Defense Production Act to force medical manufacturers to create more swabs that can be used in COVID-19 tests.
6:01 PM
- Department of Health reports 26,314 positive COVID-19 cases in Florida. Death toll is at 774
5:22 PM
- An Italian cruise ship has been a virus-free bubble since it set sail in January. On Monday the Deliziosa will make its first port-of-call in 35 days when it docks in Barcelona, Spain.
3:51 PM
- More than 40,000 people in the U.S. have now died of the coronavirus, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins University.
2:56 PM
- Local tutors across the Tampa Bay area worry months-long gap out of the classroom will impact vulnerable students. This comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis says schools would remain closed through the rest of the school year.
2:38 PM
1:15 PM
12:00 PM
- Washington Governor Jay Inslee tells ABC's George Stephanopoulos that President Donald Trump's message to liberate states, as some begin protesting stay-at-home and safer-at-home orders, is basically encouraging illegal activity.
10:43 AM
- DOH reports 25,996 coronavirus cases in Florida. Death toll at 764. Click here for county-by-county breakdown.
9:00 AM
- Tony Award-nominated actor Nick Cordero has had his his right leg amputated after suffering complications from coronavirus, his wife says.
8:30 AM
- Police break up a party with more than 60 people in Brooklyn, New York
12:45 AM
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont reopens marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers at their respective states as long as strict social distancing and sanitization protocols are followed.
12:01 AM
- A district judge strikes down Kansas' ban on church gatherings
Important updates from Saturday, April 18
- Florida releases names of long-term care facilities and nursing homes with COVID-19 cases.
- Gov. DeSantis announces that K-12 students will remain learning online through the rest of the school year.
- U.S. and Canada agree to keep the border closed to nonessential travel for another 30 days.
Important updates from Friday, April 17
- President Trump directed USDA to craft $19 billion immediate relief program to provide critical support to farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of the food supply chain and to ensure Americans continue to receive and have access to food they need.
- Manatee County extends curfew until at least Tuesday.
- Sarasota extends citywide public health emergency to April 24
- Lakeland Regional Health opening city's first drive-thru testing site.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Thursday, April 16
- President Trump outlines his plan to reopen the United States during Thursday's task force briefing.
- The Small Business Administration says it is "unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection program based on available appropriations funding.”
- Hillsborough County leaders vote unanimously to lift curfew for residents.
- Pinellas County leaders vote to keep beaches, pools closed.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Wednesday, April 15
- IRS launches website that allows Americans to track their coronavirus stimulus checks.
- Coronavirus cases worldwide hit the 2 million mark
- President Trump says he is working on a plan to reopen the United States. He said the U.S. is past its coronavirus peak.
- Gov. DeSantis says the state is working on putting together a coronavirus task force.
- To view more updates, click here.