BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Wednesday, April 15

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 Wednesday, April 15. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

11:27 PM

• Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Brian Allen is the first NFL player to test positive for coronavirus, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports.

10:00 PM

• Hillsborough County will discuss on Thursday whether to make masks mandatory for residents.

6:40 PM

• DOH says there are 22,519 cases in Florida and death toll is now at 614.

6:10 PM

• President Trump says he is working on a plan to reopen the United States. He said the U.S. is past its coronavirus peak.

5:03 PM

• Gov. DeSantis says Florida will receive $173.6M in federal funds through CARES Act for education.
• Gov. DeSantis says the state is working on putting together a coronavirus task force.

4:45 PM

• DOH reports 22,511 coronavirus cases in Florida. State's death toll is now close to 600.

3:00 PM

• Pinellas County announced it will not cut off water services for customers who are behind on their bills through mid-May.

1:50 PM

• Bolts' Braydon Coburn shared with ABC Action Sports on how he finds roller blading therapeutic during the suspended NHL season.

12:31 PM

• Sam’s Club Associate Appreciation Shopping Hours extended to included those on the front lines of COVID-19; healthcare workers and first responders. This program will kick off Sunday, April 19 and continue every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. until further notice.

12:14 PM

• WHO regrets the U.S. decision to halt funding.

11:50 AM

• Trump resort in Florida lays off 560 workers due to virus.
• At 106, British woman is oldest known virus survivor.

11:17 AM

• DOH reports 453 new cases and 20 new deaths in its morning update.
• Total cases in Florida: 22,081
• Total deaths in Florida: 591
• Total tests in Florida: 207,842
• Total hospitalizations in Florida: 3,099
• Total recoveries in U.S.: 49,966 per Johns Hopkins.

10:28 AM

• Coronavirus cases worldwide hit the 2 million mark

9:30 AM

• Armature Works is reopening parts of its operation starting Thursday to allow vendors to implement takeout and delivery orders.

9:24 AM

• Social distancing measures may be necessary into 2022, researchers say.

8:37 AM

• US retail sales fall by record 8.7% in March as Americans pulled back on spending amid viral outbreak.

8:12 AM

• IRS launches website that allows Americans to track their coronavirus stimulus checks.

6:00 AM

• The European Union criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to freeze WHO funding; Spokesman says China is “seriously concerned” about the decision.
• Spain reports spike in coronavirus cases for the first time in five days.
• China didn't warn public of likely pandemic for six key days.

5:00 AM

• NYC death toll crosses 10,000 with 'probable' cases.

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.

→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS