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'll be updating this daily blog as we continue to get through this together.
8:38 PM
- Trump says a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available by the end of the year.
7:43 PM
- Italy's Health Ministry: number of deaths in 24-hour period ending Sunday was lowest day-to-day since March 10.
5:01 PM
- In the United States per Johns Hopkins University, there are over 1,154,340 cases of COVID-19. Over 175,000 people have recovered.
3:47 PM
- 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.
2:29 PM
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he was so sick from the coronavirus that doctors had discussed what to say if he had died.
1:21 PM
- Six months ago, the global tourism industry was celebrating a record year for travel. Now, it’s decimated and facing a recovery that could take years.
12:48 PM
- India reports more than 2,600 infections, its biggest single-day jump, and new coronavirus cases in Russia exceed 10,000 for the first time.
11:30 AM
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10:33 AM
- Big Storm Brewing Co. says it will reopen two of its three taprooms on Monday, May 4: Clearwater and Odessa locations.
9:00 AM
7:00 AM
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government had a contingency plan if he died from his coronavirus infection
2:00 AM
- NFL says it plans to start season on time despite coronavirus concerns
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.
→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS
This blog is being updated frequently. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest.