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Tracking Coronavirus: Florida reports 4,752 new cases, smallest single-day increase of infections since June

Updated  August 3, 2020 1:09pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando
Tracking coronavirus article

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

12:30 p.m. -- Officials are saying scammers are pretending to offer COVID-19 test kits and safety equipment like masks in return for your Medicaid, Medicare, or social security number. Learn more about the scam HERE.

12:00 p.m. -- Governor Ron DeSantis gave a coronavirus update from Ft. Lauderdale.

Governor DeSantis gives coronavirus update

The Governor spoke from Fort Lauderdale on Monday.

10:45 a.m. -- The Florida Department of Health reported another 4,752 new cases and 73 more deaths on Monday. The statewide case total is now at 491,884 and the death toll for Florida residents is at 7,157. This is the smallest single-day increase in cases since June 23rd, when 3,286 new cases were reported.

6:30 a.m. -- State-run coronavirus testing sites will likely reopen on Tuesday after shutting down over the weekend because of Tropical Storm Isaias, Florida officials said. Read more about the sites HERE.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood tests positive for COVID-19

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood tested positive for coronavirus.

RELATED: Interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Florida 

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

  • Restaurants can now allow bar-top seating with appropriate social distancing.
  • Bars and pubs were originally able to operate with 50 percent capacity indoors and full capacity outside as long as appropriate social distancing is followed. However, the state has put a temporary ban on liquor sales at bars as COVID-19 cases surge, forcing many bars to close.
  • Retail stores can now operate at full capacity with responsible social distancing and sanitization protocols.
  • Gyms can now operate at full capacity as well with appropriate social distancing and frequent sanitization. 
  • Entertainment businesses, like movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades, can operate at 50 percent with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols. 
  • Personal services businesses, including but not limited to tattoo parlors, acupuncture establishments, tanning salons, and massage establishments, may operate with guidance from the Florida Department of Health.
  • Pari-mutuel betting facilities can submit a request to reopen to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The request must include an endorsement from their county mayor or county administrator if there is no mayor.

Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach -- which are the counties that got hit the heaviest by coronavirus in Florida -- will remain in phase one for the time being. When ready, they can seek approval from their county mayor or county administrator to enter phase two.

Survey: People keeping lives secret on social media during pandemic

Some people are afraid others will judge them if they knew what they were doing and where they were going during the pandemic. FOX 35's Stephen Hauck has the story.

RELATED: Florida Rep. Randy Fine hospitalized due to COVID-19, serious lung damage

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.

New guidance on returning to work after COVID-19 diagnosis

Governor Ron DeSantis says there are new guidelines for when you can go back to work after testing positive for COVID-19 and it may be faster than before.

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: Debate begins for who's first in line for COVID-19 vaccine

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.

Back-to-school clothes shopping changing during pandemic

FOX 35's Andrea Jackson talks to experts with tips on how to shop for back-to-school clothes during the coronavirus pandemic.

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: As Trump insists schools reopen, son's school remains closed

Globally, there have been over 18 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 689,000 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.