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, March 22. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
8:25 PM
BayCare reduced their drive-thru testing collection sites from seven to four. They also reduced their hours to 9 a.m. to noon.
6:40 PM
- Vice President Pence announces that as of Sunday, 254,000 Americans have been tested for COVID-19.
- FDA approved a new coronavirus testing kit that should be in production by the end of March. The results are expected to come back in 45 minutes.
6:13 PM
Florida now has over 1K positive COVID-19 cases, says Department of Health
2:07 PM
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.
1:54 PM
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.
NOON
Gov. DeSantis announces the opening of a drive-thru testing site at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
11:00 AM
Florida currently has 830 COVID-19 positive cases, according to the Department of Health.
8:55 AM
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces he will hold a press conference on the pandemic at noon in Miami Gardens.
6:00 AM
Five University of Tampa students test positive for coronavirus.
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