FLORIDA – ABC Action News is committed to providing Tampa Bay area residents all of the updates on the coronavirus, COVID-19, and the impact it's having on our way of life. To help you stay on top of it all, we've compiled all the updates for Monday, May 4. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
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6:00 PM
- Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will direct the state inspector general to investigate Florida's CONNECT system.
4:00 PM
- Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging Florida farmers to apply for economic injury disaster loans. Click here for more details.
2:45 PM
- Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Pass-a-Grille beach has shut down to nonresidents for the day due to the beach reaching full capacity.
2:40 PM
- Homeowners association in Indian Rocks Beach says someone stole beach closure signs from the neighborhood.
12:12 PM
- Journey cancels 2020 tour
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11:05 AM
- Two more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. This brings the number of deaths to 29.
10:50 AM
10:18 AM
- Carnival Cruise Line advised guests and travel agents today of our plan to phase in a resumption in our North American service this summer, beginning on August 1 with a total of eight ships from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston.
8:16 AM
- International Plaza will re-open on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 am. Please check directly with stores and restaurants for specific details.
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5:00 AM
4:33 AM
- Paris-based body says Dubai’s Expo 2020 world’s fair will be delayed to October 1, 2021.
Important updates from Sunday, May 3
- NFL says it plans to start season on time despite coronavirus concerns
- DOH reports 615 new coronavirus cases in Flroida, death toll now at 1,379.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he was so sick from the coronavirus that doctors had discussed what to say if he had died.
- Italy's Health Ministry: number of deaths in 24-hour period ending Sunday was lowest day-to-day since March 10.
- Trump says a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available by the end of the year.
- U.S. officials believe China covered up the extent of the coronavirus outbreak — and how contagious the disease is — to stock up on medical supplies needed to respond to it.
Important updates from Saturday, May 2
- DOH launches pop-up COVID-19 testing site in St. Pete
- Siesta Key businesses are ready to welcome back customers Monday
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate leader Mitch McConnell decline offer of quick COVID-19 tests
- April 30 and May 1 marked the deadliest 48 hours in the United States’ fight against COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
- University of Tampa will hold its first-ever virtual commencement ceremony on May 9 at 11 a.m. More information will be given out on Monday.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Friday, May 1
- A number of major airlines have announced in recent days that face coverings will be required on flights during the spread of COVID-19.
- Hundreds of extra deputies will be on Pinellas County beaches to make sure people are social distancing starting Monday.
- Pasco County is reopening five public parks over the weekend.
- Recommendations, which were intended to guide Disney World and Universal Studio, showed that capacity at the attractions should be initially capped at 50%.
- DEO confirmed to ABC Action News' I-Team that they launched a new page that makes sure Floridians who applied for unemployment are paid retroactively to when they lost their jobs, not to when they were able to apply.
- Gov. DeSantis announces Florida state parks will reopen Monday, May 4.
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Thursday, April 30
- 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing 6-week total to 30 million.
- NASCAR announced season will resume May 17 with seven races in 10 days, including four in elite Cup Series.
- 1 million people have now recovered from coronavirus around the world
- Lakeland Wawa temporarily shuts down after an employee tests positive for coronavirus
- To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Wednesday, April 29
- US economy shrunk at a 4.8% rate last quarter due to coronavirus shut downs.
- President Donald Trump says the federal government will not be extending its social distancing guidelines when they expire Thursday at the end of the month.
- First phase of reopening businesses will begin Monday, with restaurants and stores at 25% capacity, Gov. DeSantis said.
- To view more updates, click here.