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 31. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
6:00 PM
- DOH reports 403 new positive cases and 8 new deaths in its latest update. The number of positive cases in the state is now 6,741 and the number of deaths is 85. The number of recovered patients in the state has not been released.
5:22 PM
- The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has climbed past 3,600, eclipsing China's official count.
4:36 PM
- SiriusXM will start offering free access to its full lineup of Premier Streaming content to listeners in North America through May 15.
4:33 PM
2:11 PM
- Hillsborough strikes deal for hotel beds, Yuengling Center to house patients
1:30 PM
- 92-year-old female Hillsborough County resident dies from coronavirus, the third in the county
12:30 PM
- DOH says a 60-year-old person in Polk County died from the coronavirus; marking the first death in the county.
12:10 PM
11:30 AM
- DOH reports 634 new positive cases and six new deaths in its latest update. The number of positive cases in the state is now 6,338; the number of residents to test negative is at 53,773; the number of hospitalizations is at 772 and the number of deaths is 77. The number of recovered patients in the state has not been released.
11:03 AM
- Hillsborough County is re-opening the COVID-19 community collection testing site at Raymond James Stadium, located at 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, from Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 3.
- The drive-thru testing will ONLY be administered to symptomatic individuals who have pre-registered and have been scheduled an appointment through Hillsborough County's call center at (813) 272-5900. The call center will be taking appointments today through Thursday, April 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
8:00 AM
- World virus infections top 800,000
- Spain records its highest number of new deaths from virus.
- Chinese officials warn country's epidemic isn't over yet.
7:05 AM
6:00 AM
- US Open tennis complex to transform into temporary hospital.
4:50 AM
- United States poised to surpass China's toll of 3,300 deaths.
- India says hundreds at religious gathering carried virus to other parts of the country.
Important updates from Monday, March 30
- Gov. DeSantis says he is signing an executive order that codifies the common set of rules regarding "safer-at-home" that will be in effect for four south Florida counties, which includes Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
- Gov. DeSantis announces he will sign an executive order that will allow recently retired law enforcement and health care personnel to return to the workforce to "join the fight" against the virus
- Pastor of Tampa church arrested for holding large services despite 'safer-at-home' order
- Florida public schools will remain closed until May 1.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Sunday, March 29
- Quarantine around NY, NJ, CT will 'not be necessary,' Trump says
- Trump extends social distancing guidelines until April 30
- There is a new five minute test that will be administered this week
- Cigna and Humana are waiving co-pays for coronavirus testing
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Saturday, March 28
- Gov. DeSantis said about 2,000 rapid 45 minute tests will be sent to South Florida
- A Florida checkpoint on I-10 coming from Louisiana is in place. Gov. DeSantis hopes to have a similar checkpoint on I-95 for people coming to Florida from New York.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board domestic flights or intercity trains.
- Number of confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide has topped 600,000.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Friday, March 27
- Governor Ron DeSantis is suspending new vacation rentals in the state for two weeks
- Visitors traveling from New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana will be mandated to self isolate for-14 days
- Trump signs $2.2 trillion stimulus bill to provide payments to most Americans, rescue virus-hit businesses.
- Four passengers have died on a Holland America cruise ship bound for South Florida
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19
- Hillsborough County Emergency Management has secured 1,000 additional testing collection kits from the State of Florida in anticipation of re-launching its COVID-19 community collection testing site at Raymond James Stadium. An official date to re-open the site has yet to be determined
- SNAP benefits will increase temporarily to the maximum amount
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Thursday, March 26
- Hillsborough County Emergency Management has secured 1,000 additional testing collection kits from the State of Florida in anticipation of re-launching its COVID-19 community collection testing site at Raymond James Stadium. An official date to re-open the site has yet to be determined
- U.S. now leads world in total number of COVID-19 cases, surpassing China and Italy.
- Four Tampa General Hospital employees test positive for coronavirs.
- 69-year-old Hillsborough County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away at home, first death in the county
- Hillsborough County leaders vote to enact a safer-at-home order this week amid the coronavirus pandemic, no curfew.
- Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried released a statement saying Gov. DeSantis needs to issue a stay-at-home order for all state residents.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Wednesday, March 25
- A bill that will give many Americans a $1,200 chec k in the upcoming days gets the green light from the US Senate.
- Drive-through testing site at Raymond James opens. Pre-screening and pre-registration are required.
- Pinellasnty issues "safer-at-home" order; becomes the first local county to do so.
- Hillsborough County leaders vote unanimously to enact "stay-at-home" and curfew order
- President Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida. Federal funding is now available for affected areas in the state.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Tuesday, March 24
- Hillsborough County 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.
- 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo to be delayed for 'up to a year' due to coronavirus pandemic
- A 67-year-old Pinellas resident diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away. This is the first COVID-19 death in Pinellas.
- 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
- COVID-19 testing sites will open at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday.
- Mayor Jane Castor says she is hoping to enact a citywide stay-at-home order on Wednesday.
- To view more updates, click here.
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