BLOG: Coronavirus updates from Wednesday, April 29

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 Wednesday, April 29. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!

9:31 PM

• SeaWorld and Busch Gardens will automatically be extending all active annual passes and membership products for the length of time in which the parks remain closed.

9:20 PM

• Starting May 4, Starbucks says its U.S. and Canada locations will gradually begin to welcome customers again using its app and a variety of store formats.

7:07 PM

• Licensed Psychologist Dr. Harold Shinitzky says there are three key things you can do right now to help you get through this coronavirus pandemic and keep your sanity.

6:12 PM

• Hurricane season is just over a month away and COVID-19 concerns are changing the way emergency leaders are preparing for severe weather. For the first time, they are planning for potential hurricanes during a pandemic.

5:26 PM

• First phase of reopening businesses will begin Monday, with restaurants and stores at 25% capacity, Gov. DeSantis said.

4:37 PM

• The city of Detroit has passed 1,000 deaths due to complications from the COVID-19 virus.

2:23 PM

• A top World Health Organization official says the U.N. health agency is looking into whether grandparents can safely hug their grandchildren without risk of contracting the coronavirus.

1:56 PM

• 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.

12:47 PM

• Germany experts say vaccine, herd immunity vital.
• Italy doubles ventilators for possible second wave.
• Britain's death toll jumps over 26,000 with nursing home deaths.

11:25 AM

• One more Hillsborough County resident who tested positive for COVID-19 has died. This brings the number of deaths in Hillsborough to 23.

10:56 AM

• Hillsborough County opens online submission for relief program.

10:30 AM

• New COVID-19 numbers show increase of 347 cases, 47 new deaths

10:01 AM

• HART says second bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19. Click here for more information on the driver's routes.

8:55 AM

• US economy shrunk at a 4.8% rate last quarter due to coronavirus shut downs.

8:38 AM

• As lockdowns ease, health officials urge virus vigilance.
• Ukrainian entrepreneurs demand easing of lockdown rules.
• Spain outlines loosening of virus restrictions.

5:16 AM

• Over 3.1 million cases worldwide, including 1 million in U.S.
• U.S. federal inmate dies of COVID-19 four weeks after giving birth while on ventilator.

Important updates from Tuesday, April 28

• New numbers bring Florida to 32,846 total cases and 1,171 deaths
• A pug in North Carolina has tested positive for the coronavirus and it may be the first instance the virus has been detected in a dog in the United States.
• Governor DeSantis says he will give an update on the safer-at-home order tomorrow.
• Pinellas County leaders vote to re-open beaches starting Monday
• Hillsborough extends county government closures through May 15
• To view more updates, click here.

Important updates from Monday, April 27

• Sarasota County public beaches open with limitations.
• Lakeland city leaders vote to reopen golf courses, parks, trails, boat ramps on May 1.
• Worldwide cases of the coronavirus top 3 million.
• Tampa General Chief of Staff, Dr. Tapan Padhya said the hospital is looking to start its full elective schedule Monday, May 11. The remarks were made during a press conference with Gov. DeSantis at the hospital.
• To view more updates, click here.

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