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 Thursday, April 16. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
9:00 PM
- Native American tribes and environmental groups are pressuring a federal judge to shut down work on the construction of an oil pipeline from Canada to Nebraska less than two weeks after it started.
8:05 PM
7:14 PM
6:43 PM
- Broncos star Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19. Miller was reportedly resting comfortably at home and in good spirits.
6:01 PM
- President Trump outlines his plan to reopen the United States during Thursday's task force briefing.
5:55 PM
- Florida's total coronavirus cases surpass 23,000. Death toll now at 668.
5:47 PM
Tampa Bay Rays pledge to donate 1,200 meals to Citrus County seniors in quarantine.
4:20 PM
3:24 PM
2:41 PM
- Facebook announced Thursday that it’s taking additional steps to combat misinformation on its website regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
2:25 PM
1:03 PM
- U.K. government extends national lockdown for at least three more weeks to slow country's coronavirus outbreak.
12:21 PM
- HART confirms one of its a bus drivers tested positive for the coronavirus. The company says the driver last worked on Wednesday, April 8.
11:44 AM
11:17 AM
- The Small Business Administration says it is "unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection program based on available appropriations funding.”
- They didn't specify how many businesses might be waiting for their application process who will not be able to get a loan.
11:12 AM
- Tampa General joins several national studies in COVID-19 fight.
- Those include:
- Enrolling healthcare workers in the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response & Outcomes (HERO) Registry.
- Research to see if infusions of antibody-rich plasma from recovering patients to help treat severly ill patients.
- Trial of a monoclonal antibody in a new indication designed to modulate the body’s immune response so that it doesn’t damage the lungs and other organs.
11:00 AM
- Britain’s death total reaches nearly 14,000.
- Prince William opens new field hospital in Birmingham.
10:58 AM
- DOH reports 378 new positive cases, 19 new deaths.
- Total cases in Florida: 22,897
- Total deaths in Florida: 633
- Total tests in Florida: 220,892
- Total recoveries in the U.S.: 52,739, according to Johns Hopkins
- Florida hospitalizations: 3,305
*This number refers to the total number of people hospitalized for COVID-19, according to the Department of Health. They may or may not currently be in the hospital*
8:00 AM
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issues state of emergency for Japan.
- Leaked letter shows leaders in social care are critical of the British government.
- Spain records sharp increase in virus infections; officials say it's due to broader testing.
6:30 AM
- Trump to speak with world leaders on coronavirus response.
- Nurses suspended for refusing COVD-19 care without N95 mask.
- The head of the World Health Organization's Europe office hails a show of support from around the world.
- 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.
Important updates from Tuesday, April 14
- US clears first saliva test to help diagnose new virus.
- International Monetary Fund: Global economy in 2020 will likely suffer its worst year since the Great Depression, brought down by viral outbreak.
- Publix offers special shopping hours for frontline employees.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Monday, April 13
- Hillsborough County leaders approved a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for residents.
- Sailor assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt dies of COVID-19.
- Lakeland Regional Health opens temporary respiratory care center.
- Hillsborough County opens drive-through service at two libraries to get and send unemployment forms.
- WWE is considered an essential business by Gov. DeSantis, according to Orange County's mayor.
- Worldwide COVID-19 cases surpass 2 million, U.S. accounts for 29% of all cases.
- To view more updates, click here.