BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Saturday, April 11

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 Saturday, April 11. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

8:40 PM

• The IRS says the first economic support payments stemming from the coronavirus outbreak have been deposited in taxpayers’ bank accounts.

7:36 PM

• Organizers of the Burning Man Project say they are committed to providing ticket refunds after the event was canceled because of COVID-19.
• Burning Man is a lifestyle and entertainment gathering that typically attracts 80,000 people from around the world.

7:15 PM

• Queen Elizabeth II has stressed the need for the British people to continue to abide with lockdown restrictions over the rest of the Easter weekend.

6:37 PM

• Department of Health reports 18,986 positive COVID-19 cases. The death toll is at 446.

4:38 PM

• First Watch to temporarily close all company-owned restaurants on Monday due to COVID-19
• The company will continue restaurant managers’ existing healthcare benefits
• First Watch will cover 100% of out-of-pocket costs, co-pays and deductibles for any medical visits related to COVID-19.
• The company also invested in telemedicine benefits for every First Watch employee and their family, at no cost to them, so all have access to medical professionals who can diagnose, authorize testing and even prescribe medications.
• Restaurant managers will be provided a bonus upon their return to work to close the gap between the federal and state benefits they received and their First Watch salary.

4:19 PM

• The Fresh Market is requiring all guests to wear face coverings when they enter the store

2:43 PM

• Florida National Guard starts on-the-spot testing at nursing homes

2:22 PM

• Italy tops 19,000 deaths, 150,000 coronavirus cases.

12:57 PM

• Two more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. This brings the number of deaths to 14.

11:44 AM

• More Disney workers reach deals on coronavirus furloughs.

11:10 AM

• DOH in Hillsborough County reports two more deaths, bringing county total to 14.
• 69-year-old male
• 71-year-old female
• 92-year-old female
• 68-year-old female
• 86-year-old female
• 77-year-old male
• 55-year-old male
• 78-year-old male
• 74-year-old male
• 67-year-old male
• 74-year-old male
• 73-year-old male
• 63-year-old male
• 93-year-old female

11:04 AM

• Florida Department of Health reports 526 new positive cases, 19 new deaths.
• Total positive cases: 18,494
• Total deaths: 438
• Total tests: 173,187
• Hospitalizations: 2,528
• U.S. recovered: 29,192 per Johns Hopkins. Florida health officials have not released recovery numbers for the state.

10:52 AM

• New York schools to close for remaining academic year.

10:00 AM

• Sunset Music Festival rescheduled for July 3 and 4.

9:00 AM

• British PM Boris Johnson makes ‘very good progress’ in London hospital.
• Italy urges people to stay at home for Easter and Easter Monday.
• Spain reports lowest daily death count in nearly 3 weeks, rise in number infected.

Important updates from Friday, April 10

• Publix implementing one-way aisles company-wide to encourage social distancing.
• Worldwide deaths from the coronavirus exceed 100,000
• Florida to expand drive-through coronavirus testing to more residents
• The state is working on an online order option for SNAP recipients in Florida.
• IRS launches a web tool for non-filers to receive stimulus checks.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Thursday, April 9

• Publix announces touch-free checkout in all stores.
• 10% of U.S. labor force now out of work since virus slammed economy as 6.6 million file for jobless aid. The Department of Labor says 16 million people have lost their jobs in recent weeks.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved out of intensive care as condition improves.
• Pinellas County votes to keep public beaches and beach parking areas closed at least through April 17.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Wednesday, April 8

• One million doses of anti-malaria drug heading to Florida for coronavirus patients.
• Pinellas County updates list of essential services under 'safer-at-home' order.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has new guidance for essential workers as it takes a small step toward reopening the country.
• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched a new, mobile-friendly online application for those seeking reemployment assistance.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates for Tuesday, April 7

• New York City records more deaths from virus than 9/11.
• China reports no new deaths for 1st time since January.
• At midnight local time outbound travel restrictions from Wuhan were lifted for the first time since the city was locked down on January 23.
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Monday, April 6

• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to ICU as COVID-19 symptoms worsen.
• British Open cancels 2020 tournament. It's the first time since World War II.
• Coronavirus death toll in US passes 10,000.
• To view more updates, click here.

→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS

This blog is being updated frequently. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest.