BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Friday, April 3

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 Friday, April 3. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

10:38 PM

• Hobby Lobby announced Friday night that it is closing all of its United States locations temporarily amid the spread of COVID-19.

9:39 PM

• The VA will extend financial, benefits and claims relief amid COVID-19

8:19 PM

• Driverless shuttles to transport COVID-19 tests at testing site in Jacksonville

7:15 PM

• Walmart will limit the amount of people that are in the store

6:07 PM

• Department of Health reports more than 10,000 positive COVID-19 cases. The death toll is now at 170.

5:42 PM

• President Trump says he is directing FEMA to prevent export of N95 masks under Defense Production Act.

5:36 PM

• White House: CDC to recommend Americans cover faces when outside.

4:55 PM

• Curfew ordered for Manatee County residents. It takes effect tonight at 11 p.m.

4:00 PM

• Sarasota Memorial Hospital will furlough some of its employees after a "sudden and drastic drop in patient volumes and revenues."

2:29 PM

• White House: Anyone who will be in close proximity to Trump, Pence, will be given rapid COVID-19 test starting today.

1:40 PM

• Target to start limiting the number of shoppers it allows in its stores to enhance social distancing beginning Saturday.

1:23 PM

• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warns U.S. not to block 3M from sending respirators to Canada.

1:20 PM

• With coronavirus deaths climbing rapidly in New York, the governor announced Friday he will use his authority to take ventilators and protective gear from private hospitals and companies that aren't using them.

11:30 AM

• City of St. Pete announces the Fighting Chance Fund; designed to provide relief to small businesses impacted by COVID-19 orders. Click here for more information.

11:05 AM

• DOH reports 577 new cases and 19 new deaths in Florida. There are currently 9,585 total cases in the state.

9:28 AM

• Hillsborough Co. gives guidelines for religious services amid coronavirus pandemic.

8:58 AM

• USF analysis predicts serious hospital bed shortage if social distancing measures aren't followed.

8:34 AM

• US shed 701,000 jobs in March in face of virus, ending a record hiring streak after nearly 10 years.

8:32 AM

• Taco Bus to donate over 300 meals to Tampa Bay's first responders on Monday and Thursday

8:00 AM

• Google launches 'community mobility reports' during pandemic.
• Goodwill-Suncoast stores and some donation sites closed; donations still accepted at stores 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

7:00 AM

• Disney halting annual pass payments while parks are closed, refunding some payments.

5:00 AM

• Virus death toll and unemployment surge in Europe and U.S.
• Global diagnosed cases cross 1 million.
• U.S. death toll tops 6,000.

Important updates from Thursday, April 2

• Gov. Ron DeSantis signs an executive order to suspend foreclosures and evictions for 45 days
• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide surpassed 1 million on Thursday as cases in the United States and much of Europe continue to spike.
• U.S. unemployment claims hit 6.6 million -- another record high -- as layoffs accelerate in face of coronavirus.
• FEMA requested Defense Department make 100,000 body bags available to help state health agencies with mortuary affairs, a Pentagon spokesman confirms to ABC News.
• Democratic National Convention postponed until August due to coronavirus pandemic
• Pinellas County Commissioners vote to shut down all non-essential businesses in the county.
• President Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to step up production of ventilators.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Wednesday, April 1

• Gov. DeSantis orders "safer-at-home" for all Floridians and to limit movement to essential activities only for the next 30 days.
• DCF will temporarily increase SNAP recipients’ benefit amount to the maximum monthly allotment based on household size.
• The IRS and the Treasury Department say Americans will start receiving their economic impact checks in the next three weeks.
• All cruise ships directed to remain at sea where they may be sequestered 'indefinitely'
• New York state's virus deaths jump to more than 1,900
• Hillsborough County will open two hotels on E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa for families affected by coronavirus pandemic
• To view more updates, click here.

→ CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY INTERACTIVE MAP

Important updates from Tuesday, March 31

• Hillsborough County is re-opening the COVID-19 community collection testing site at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday.
• DOH says a 60-year-old person in Polk County died from the coronavirus; marking the first death in the county.
• 92-year-old female Hillsborough County resident dies from coronavirus, the third in the county
• Three Florida Highway Patrol troopers test positive for COVID-19
• The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has climbed past 3,600, eclipsing China's official count.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Monday, March 30

• Gov. DeSantis says he is signing an executive order that codifies the common set of rules regarding "safer-at-home" that will be in effect for four south Florida counties, which includes Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
• Gov. DeSantis announces he will sign an executive order that will allow recently retired law enforcement and health care personnel to return to the workforce to "join the fight" against the virus
• Pastor of Tampa church arrested for holding large services despite 'safer-at-home' order
• Florida public schools will remain closed until May 1.
• To view more updates, click here.

→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS