Florida now has over 9,000 cases of coronavirus, death toll at 144

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health has released the latest numbers of coronavirus in Florida on Thursday evening, showing that there are now over 9,000 positive cases in the state and a new death toll of 144.

They stated that there are 9,008 cases of coronavirus statewide. Among those, 8,694 are Florida residents. The rest are non-Florida residents who tested positive and are being isolated in the state.

While Florida’s testing has increased over the past week, the percent of those testing positive for COVID-19 overall is 11 percent. Of the 9,198 tests performed on April 1, there were 1,199 positive results, or 13 percent.

Sixteen people have died who tested positive for COVID-19 in Collier, Dade, Duval, Osceola, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Lucie and Sumter counties.

Here are the numbers for Central Florida counties as of 6 p.m. Thursday:

Alachua: 95 cases
Breard: 49 cases
Flagler: 25 cases
Lake: 82 cases
Marion: 33 cases
Orange: 541 cases
Osceola: 170 cases
Polk: 103 cases
Seminole: 145 cases
Sumter: 66 cases
Volusia: 102 cases

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

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Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order, issuing a "stay-at-home" mandate across all of Florida.

With this order, residents statewide must stay at home except to complete essential errands and activities. Essential businesses may also stay open but must enforce social distancing.

The mandate officially begins on April 3rd at 12:01 a.m. and will last until April 30th.

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While several counties across the state have enacted their own stay-at-home orders, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced a statewide order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.

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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.

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There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so avoiding exposure is crucial. The department advises the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The CDC said that they do not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks. They should only be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings.

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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. 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.

Pandemic leaving many unemployed

Thousands say they are having difficulty accessing the state's unemployment benefits lines.

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

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