Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at a press conference Sunday to provide updates on the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. The conference took place at Hard Rock Stadium, where a testing site will open on Monday.
What to Know
- The state's new total rose to 1,007, including 937 Florida residents and 70 non-Florida residents
- Broward reached 217 cases, while Miami-Dade led the state with 227
- One new death raised the state's death toll to 13
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida jumped to 1,007 Sunday morning.
The state's new total rose to 1,007, including 937 Florida residents and 70 non-Florida residents, according to new findings from the Florida Department of Health. Broward reached 217 cases and Miami-Dade reached 227 cases, the highest number of cases per county in the state.
The City of Miami has the most confirmed cases than any other city in the state with 125, according to health officials. Hollywood, 44, and Fort Lauderdale, 39, are a distant second and third.
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Earlier on Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the state's newest drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Only those who fell into one of two groups qualified for testing: first responders, and people over the age of 65 who display symptoms of COVID-19.
"These people are putting themselves at risk to protect others, so we need to be able to protect them, for their own health but also for these hospitals," DeSantis explained. "If one worker gets exposed, they may have to self-isolate, and if they had contact with other workers, they won't be able to see patients. So it's really important they have access to testing."
Another drive-thru testing site in Miami was announced later in the day by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
In a video update, Gimenez said he was working with Jackson Health System, the University of Miami and the City of Miami to make Marlins Park the newest site for drive-thru coronavirus testing.
Details are still being finalized, but the Mayor said an official announcement would be made Monday.
Gimenez also ordered the shutdown of all boat ramps and marinas in the county effective immediately after images of large gatherings on boats surfaced on social media.
All boat ramps in Miami-Dade County were closed, and marinas cut off all boating activities with the exception of commercial fishermen who provide food for restaurants and markets.
Gimenez's statement, which was released Saturday evening, also said Miami-Dade police would be out on the waters ensuring that no large parties take place.
"I am disappointed to see photos and videos on social media of boats close together and large groups of people congregating," Gimenez further stated.
Earlier Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a number of executive orders, including directing all movie theatres, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades, gymnasiums, fitness studios and beaches to close in Broward County and Palm Beach County. The closures will expire on March 31, but may be renewed by a written request of the County Administrator.
Broward and Palm Beach administrators will also have the ability to enforce, relax, modify or remove the closures as they see fit. The executive order also requires all restaurants, bars, pubs, night clubs, banquet halls, cabarets, breweries, cafeterias and any other alcohol and/or food service business establishment with seating for more than ten people within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Broward and Palm Beach to close on-premises service of customers.
Another order lifted the restriction that prohibits restaurants from selling package sales of alcohol for delivery, take-out or consumption off-premises. Alcohol sales to go with food that is pick-up or delivered will be permitted and I.D. will be required for orders including alcohol.
In another order, DeSantis prohibited all hospitals, doctor's offices, surgery centers and other medical facilities from providing any medically unnecessary, non-urgent or non-emergency procedure or surgery.
"We're in it together, we're gonna get through it, it's not gonna be easy in the days and weeks to come but we will get through it," DeSantis said.
The first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site run by the Florida National Guard began operations Friday at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered all beaches, parks and “non-essential” commercial and retail businesses closed.
DeSantis already had ordered bars closed and restaurants to limit seating, while some municipal governments have limited eateries to take-out and delivery.
Gimenez's order allows several businesses to remain open, including health care providers, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and banks.
“I know it is very frustrating that we have new closures every day, but they are vital to protecting everyone in our County,” Gimenez said in a statement.
Also on Thursday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who had tested positive for COVID-19, urged residents to self-isolate in their homes "to the maximum extent possible."
The vast majority of people recover in about two weeks from this illness with no more than a fever and a cough, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause severe illness requiring care at hospitals where beds and protective gear are in short supply.
Florida's economy depends heavily on tourism. In the last several days its theme parks have closed, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, cruises have shut down and Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach have shooed away thousands of spring breakers. Several cities have closed their beaches and others are expected to follow. Some officials wondered why all Florida beaches aren't closed as some remain packed.
The Florida Keys will close to visitors starting Sunday evening. Monroe County officials announced Thursday that no new reservations would be permitted until further notice. Long-term renters who are already in the Keys will be allowed to remain until the conclusion of their contracts.
On Thursday, Monroe County reported its first presumptive positive COVID-19 case.
Miami-based Carnival Corp. said Thursday it will make cruise ships from four of its brands available to serve as temporary hospitals where needed.
The world’s largest cruise line said its ships could serve mainly to treat non-coronavirus patients, freeing up beds in land-based hospitals. The company said ships can provide up to 1,000 hospital rooms and can be quickly provisioned with necessary medical equipment, including intensive care units.
