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 18. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
10:00 PM
- Vice President Mike Pence plans to fly to Orlando to discuss reopening Florida with Governor Ron DeSantis.
9:30 PM
- TPD says tattoo parlors in Tampa will remain closed. Meanwhile -- on the other the other side of the Howard Frankland Bridge -- Sheriff Bob Gualtieri gave tattoo and massage parlors in Pinellas County the green light to reopen.
6:00 PM
- Sarasota city leaders have voted to reopen Lido Beach.
5:30 PM
- Tattoo and massage parlors, in addition to movie theaters in Pinellas County are all allowed to reopen with restrictions, Sheriff and county officials confirm.
3:30 PM
- Sparkman Wharf announces it will reopen Tuesday, May 19 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
3:15 PM
2:08 PM
- The Hillsborough Emergency Policy Group passes the motion, 7-1, to move their meetings to once a week, which would take place on Thursdays.
11:30 AM
11:00 AM
8:00 AM
- Germany's Merkel: “No country can solve this problem alone.”
- Japan plunges into recession as US states start opening up.
- Greece reopens Acropolis in Athens and other ancient sites.
- European leaders consult on possibility of summer vacations.
6:30 AM
- Florida enters "Full Phase 1" today. Click here for a breakdown of reopenings and changes.
5:00 AM
- 13 sailors test positive again after returning to virus-hit USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Important updates from Sunday, May 17
British PM says there might never be a vaccine for COVID-19..
Department of Health reports 45,588 positive COVID-19 cases in Florida. The death toll is at 1,973.
One of President Donald Trump’s top economic advisers is criticizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s early response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying it “let the country down” after initial delays with testing.
Britain is reporting that 170 more people have died from the coronavirus, raising its overall death toll to 34,636.
To view more updates, click here.
Important updates from Saturday, May 16
The Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that it has authorized an at-home sample collection kit that can then be sent to specified laboratories for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.
Disney Springs implements a number of new health and safety measures for phased reopening
AdventHealth terminates contract with lab conducting COVID-19 testing due to unacceptable delays and unreliable test results
Britain launches trial for dogs to sniff out humans with COVID-19.
To view more updates, click here.