Expand / Collapse search
☰

Tracking Coronavirus: Florida health officials report smallest daily increase in cases since late June

Updated  August 24, 2020 1:40pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando
7a25adde-Coronavirus_generic_1280x720.jpg article

ORLANDO, Fla. - Below is a log of the day's events as it relates to the global coronavirus pandemic. 

1:30 p.m. -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday dropped its recommendation for travelers to quarantine for 14 days upon returning from trips overseas or out of state during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more HERE.

10:45 a.m. -- The Florida Department of Health reported 2,258 new cases and 72 more deaths since Sunday morning. The statewide case total is now at 602,829 since the start of the pandemic, resulting in 10,397 deaths.

This is the 9th straight day in a row that cases have been reported under 5,000. This is also only the third time since June 22 that fewer than 3,000 new cases have been tallied in a day. The other time was last Monday, when 2,678 cases were reported and Sunday, when 2,974 cases were reported. 

Sundays and Mondays often have a low number of reports as not all hospitals report on the weekend. The daily total peaked July 15 when more than 15,000 cases were reported, but has been declining since.

8 24 NEW CASES

10:00 a.m. -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said he would follow public health advisers’ advice if they called for a national shutdown should he take office and the coronavirus had not abated. Read what he said HERE.

6:00 a.m. -- The Florida Department of Health reported 2,974 new cases and 51 more deaths since Saturday morning. The statewide case total since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is now at 600,571, resulting in 10,325 deaths.

RELATED: Interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Florida 

If you are having trouble seeing the map or using it (especially on a mobile device), click here to load in a new window.

Phase two of Florida's reopening is ongoing. The following is in effect:

  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan allows for restaurants to operate with 50 percent indoor seating capacity and full capacity outdoors with appropriate social distancing. Restaurants can also allow for bar-top seating.
  • Bars, pubs, and taverns were originally allowed to operate with similar guidelines but have since been ordered to shut down, as the state has put a temporary ban on liquor sales at bars because of a rise in cases over the summer. Leaders in the industry are working to come to an agreement with the state on reopening.
  • Retail stores can currently operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols. Many chains have included social distancing signage, sanitizing stations, and limited hours in their new safety measures.
  • Amusement parks have reopened in Florida as well, all with limited capacity and enhanced safety measures to protect both park guests and employees.
  • Gyms can operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization.
  • Movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, and arcades can operate at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols, according to the 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan.
  • Barbershops, hair salons, and nail salons may operate with appropriate safety protocols.
  • Visitors are still not allowed at long-term care facilities in Florida but the Governor is working to allow this. He has assembled a task force to determine the best way to safely go about allowing visitors.
  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan also allows for professional sports venues to open and continue operating for games, events, competitions, and training. 
  • Both museums and libraries can operate at full capacity, the  'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan states.
  • Elective surgeries can be conducted at hospitals with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols, the plan states.

Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward County are still in phase one of Florida's reopening plan. However, a recent report from the Sun-Sentinel stated that the area may soon enter phase two because of the decline in cases. This will allow for higher capacity limits at businesses and restaurants can offer bar-top service. It will also serve as an important benchmark for resuming in-person learning at schools. 

Florida education commissioner has strong message for teachers with COVID-19 concerns

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran says teachers who refuse to return to the classroom because of COVID-19 concerns will be terminated.

RELATED: Trump announces plasma treatment authorized for COVID-19

Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose or mouth. 

As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment, but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

Bar owners upset over bill renewing state alcohol licenses

Bar owners are upset that they haven't been able to put their state alcohol licenses to use since state bars were shut down twice. Now, many are receiving bills to renew those licenses.

If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have.

RELATED: Coronavirus survivors plagued by long-term ailments

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be. If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

CARES Act portal closes in Orange County on Friday

Business owners in Orange County have one final day to apply for CARES Act funding assistance. Friday the portal will close at 5 p.m.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

RELATED: WHO leader says he hopes coronavirus pandemic will be over in 2 years

Globally, there have been over 23.4 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 809,000 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

Below is an interactive John Hopkins University dashboard, showing a country-by-country breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases across the world.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to view the interactive John Hopkins University dashboard

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest coronavirus news.