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 Tuesday, March 24. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
9:15 PM
- Publix to install Plexiglas barriers at registers in wake of coronavirus pandemic
8:40 PM
- City of Miami orders residents to shelter in place to prevent spread of coronavirus
6:55 PM
- Number of positive cases goes up to 1,467 in Florida. Death toll is now at 20.
5:15 PM
- Mayor Jane Castor says she is hoping to enact a citywide stay-at-home order on Wednesday.
4:10 PM
- Hillsborough County leaders announced they will meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss a possible curfew order for the county's residents.
4:00 PM
- COVID-19 testing sites will open at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday.
3:20 PM
- Governor DeSantis issues health advisory for those 65 years old and over as well as those with underlying conditions of any age to stay home for the next two weeks
2:20 PM
- Mayor Jane Castor is expected to order all Tampa residents to stay at home except for essential needs.
12:40 PM
- A 67-year-old Pinellas resident diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away. This is the first COVID-19 death in Pinellas
12:30 PM
- Manatee County announces closure of all county and city-owned boat ramps starting Thursday at 6 a.m. Access to Beer Can Island is also being restricted. Coquina South boat ramp can only be used by commercial fishing operations, those with a U.S. Coast Guard Six-Pack Captain’s License and a commercial fishing license.
11:45 AM
10:55 AM
- 185 new positive cases and 1 new death reported in Florida by Department of Health, bringing state's total to 1,412
10:44 AM
10:30 AM
8:45 AM
8:00 AM
- Hillsborough County created a main information number for residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to call beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to get pre-screened and, in some cases, pre-registered for testing.
5:30 AM
- The CDC and BayCare Health have both rolled out self-checkers for the coronavirus to help you make decisions about the medical care you need.
5:00 AM
- The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state is at 1,227. Of those, 1,147 are Floridia residents and 80 are non-Florida residents. There have been 17 deaths related to the coronavirus. Click here for the Department of Health's interactive map.
Important updates from Monday, March 23
- Governor DeSantis to order 14-day quarantine on anyone flying from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Florida.
- Hillsborough County leaders vote to not issue a 'stay-at-home' order yet, revisiting subject on Thursday
- All Florida State Parks closed to the public.
- Lakeland Regional Health is limiting visitors to its facilities with some exceptions and stopping all elective procedures.
- 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.
- Three people test positive at the MacDill Air Force Base.
- To view more updates, click here.
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
- Florida students won't return to schools until April 15
- Gov. DeSantis orders no groups of more than 10 people on beaches
- All Florida bars, nightclubs closed for at least 30 days
→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS
This blog is being updated frequently. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest.