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, March 18. For today's updates, visit www.abcactionnews.com/virus. Don't forget we are in this together!
10:30 PM
A patient tests positive for coronavirus at Tampa General Hospital.
10:00 PM
Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, becomes the second member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus.
8:45 PM
Tyrone Square Mall is shutting down temporarily in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
7:15 PM
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R.-Fla.) becomes the first member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus.
6:15 PM
City votes to shut down Clearwater Beach starting March 23 at 6 a.m.
6:00 PM
14 new positive cases of COVID-19 brings Florida's total to 328,according to Florida Department of Health.
4:30 PM
City of Tampa closes all beaches
4:15 PM
Diocese of St. Petersburg temporarily suspends all public masses until further notice.
All public Masses are suspended throughout @DioStPete until further notice. Full details: https://t.co/N2JJw2aCRs.
— Diocese of St. Pete (@DioStPete) March 18, 2020
O Blessed Virgin Mary, by grace of your Son, help us be strong & courageous as we face current challenges together! #courageouslyliving https://t.co/mnwk597of8
4:03 PM
Dow Jones industrials sink 1,300 points, or 6.3%, erasing nearly all of their gains since President Trump's inauguration.
3:00 PM
City of Bradenton declares a local state of emergency.
1:45 PM
Stock trading is halted for the fourth time this month as S&P 500 drops 7%
12:00 PM
- Trump says Department Housing and Urban Development to suspend foreclosures and evictions through April
- Trump says he will invoke Defense Production Act to marshal private sector in response to coronavirus pandemic
- Treasury proposal: Deliver $500B in checks to millions of Americans, first round coming April 6
- FEMA fully engaged at highest levels.
11:25 AM
98 new positive cases announced, bringing total of cases in Florida to 314
10:40 AM
Ikea announces they will temporarily close all U.S. stores, including their store in Tampa
→ CORONAVIRUS CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA
10:00 AM
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the immediate suspension of evictions in the county.
9:50 AM
U.S. and Canada agree to temporarily close the border separating the countries
9:00 AM
Target reducing hours and all stores will be closed by 9 p.m. daily
Important updates from Tuesday, March 17
- Florida students won't return to schools until April 15
- Gov. DeSantis orders no groups of more than 10 people on beaches
- All Florida bars, nightclubs closed for at least 30 days