BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Thursday, April 9

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 Thursday, April 9. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

9:20 PM

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announces it has flown more than 1,000 U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents back to the States. ICE said these American returned from El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia and Nicaragua.

8 PM

• Pinellas County votes to keep public beaches and beach parking areas closed at least through April 17.

6:15 PM

• TPD officers show up at Tampa General Hospital to give healthcare workers a giant round of applause.

5:51 PM

• Department of Health reports 16,826 positive COVID-19 cases and 371 deaths

4:44 PM

• Universal Orlando Resort to stay closed through at least May 31 amid coronavirus concerns

3:35 PM

• A Clearwater police officer tests positive for coronavirus

2:21 PM

• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved out of intensive care as condition improves.

1:10 PM

• Stocks are rising in midday trading on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve launched its latest unprecedented effort to support the economy through the coronavirus outbreak

12:24 PM

• New York state reports a single-day increase of 799 deaths, marking the third straight day of record COVID-19 deaths in the state.

11:35 AM

• Two more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died, according to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. This brings the number of deaths to nine.

11:34 AM

• Democrats stall Trump's $250B business virus aid package, demand money for healthcare.

10:58 AM

• Florida Department of Health reports 666 new positive cases, 31 new deaths.
• Total positive cases: 16,364
• Total deaths: 354
• Total tests in Florida: 152,699
• U.S. recoveries: 24,213, according to this tracker from Johns Hopkins.

9:25 AM

• New York may be reaching its peak in outbreak, Dr. Fauci says.
• Fauci on "Good Morning America:" Don’t assume virus fades in warm weather. Fauci added “having said that, one should not assume that we are going to be rescued by a change in the weather. You must assume that the virus will continue to do its thing. If we get some help from the weather, so be it, fine. But I don’t think we need to assume that.”

8:42 AM

• Fed announces programs to provide up to $2.3 trillion in additional lending.

8:32 AM

• 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.

8:16 AM

• Warnings multiply against Easter holiday travel, gatherings.
• British PM Boris Johnson ‘continues to improve’ in ICU.
• Bangkok to ban sales of alcohol in an effort to curb virus spread.

8:00 AM

• Applications now available for St. Pete's Fighting Chance Fund.
• Tarpon Springs authorizes grants to help small businesses.

7:17 AM

• The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas (ELC) is providing financial assistance to first responders and healthcare works for child care.

7:00 AM

• Second US study for COVID-19 vaccine uses skin-deep shots.

6:30 AM

• Spain reports slight decrease in daily virus deaths.
• Virus outbreaks flatten in some places, while others see more cases
• USNS Mercy crew member tests positive for COVID-19.

5:00 AM

• Publix announces touch-free checkout in all stores.
• Amazon confirms positive case at its Adamo Drive distribution center.

3:18 AM

• Iran’s supreme leader suggests mass gatherings may be barred through the holy Muslim fasting month Ramadan amid pandemic.

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.