Tracking Coronavirus: Florida health officials report second smallest daily increase in cases since June
ORLANDO, Fla. - Below is a log of the day's events as it relates to the global coronavirus pandemic.
3:00 p.m. -- Florida has seen a decline in COVID-19 cases throughout August. Is this a sign that the state may be ready to enter phase three of reopening? Details HERE.
11:45 a.m. -- The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the coronavirus as a “once-in-a-century health crisis” that has been able to spread rapidly, similar to the 1918 flu pandemic, and said he hopes it'll be over in 2 years. See what else he had to say HERE.
11:30 a.m. -- Doctors have seen lung damage, breathing problems, blood clots, heart inflammation, headaches, and other neurological issues among COVID-19 patients. Details about the lasting effects coronavirus can have on someone HERE.
11:15 a.m. -- Russia has announced it expects to step up production of its potential coronavirus vaccine to around 6 million doses a month, a report says. Read more HERE.
10:30 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.
This is the 8th straight day in a row that cases have been reported under 5,000. This is also only the second time since June 22 that fewer than 3,000 new cases have been tallied in a day. The other time was on Monday, when 2,678 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.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also been declining. Late Sunday morning, 4,578 patients were being treated for the disease in Florida hospitals compared to Saturday’s 4,773. It is a drop of almost 800 since Thursday. Hospitalizations peaked at above 9,500 on July 23.
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:
- 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.
RELATED: Low humidity, drier air may contribute to increased COVID-19 transmission risk, researchers find
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.
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: Florida hospitals lose billions due to pandemic measures
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.
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: Florida children's health insurance affected by COVID-19
Globally, there have been over 23.2 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 805,000 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
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