Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on March 19
We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state. Check back for updates throughout the day.
NEW STATE CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS
7 p.m.: The state’s coronavirus numbers were updated Thursday evening, and Miami-Dade County now has more confirmed cases than Broward County.
The Florida Department of Health added 15 cases in Miami-Dade County, bringing the total to 101. In Broward County, 16 cases were added, bringing the total to 96 there.
The statewide total is now 432 cases, double the number of cases from just two days ago. Nearly half of those cases continue to be in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
One new death was announced Thursday, as well. A person has died in Duval County who had previously tested positive for COVID-19, raising the toll to nine.
FLORIDA KEYS TO CLOSE ALL HOTELS
6:35 p.m.: Monroe County ordered all hotels in the Florida Keys to close indefinitely beginning 6 p.m. Sunday to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The order also extends to vacation rental units where guests stay less than 28 days.
The move was announced by Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi during an emergency conference call meeting Thursday night with other government officials and lodging and restaurant industry stakeholders.
A UNIQUE KIND OF CONCERT
4:55 p.m.: With the spread of the coronavirus prohibiting traditional concerts because of the big crowds they draw, some have gotten creative and found other ways to perform for the public.
On Wednesday evening, a musician played a violin on a balcony in the Commodore building as the sun was setting.
“It was truly beautiful,” said Malén Guirado Buenaventura, who witnessed it all. “Some of us on Key Biscayne have been following a strict quarantine since last week and after several days at home without going out (not even to buy groceries) listening to this was delightful and a mental break from everything that’s been going on lately.”
SOME LOCAL PARKS STILL OPEN
4:20 p.m.: While Miami-Dade has ordered all parks to close, the four National Park Service sites in South Florida — Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Park, and the Big Cypress National Preserve — are open for recreational activities.
Parks have shut down all visitor centers and campgrounds, and canceled group activities to protect visitors and employees from potential transmission of the coronavirus. Trails, beaches and restrooms remain open.
Entrance fees are being waived and parks are asking visitors to heed the advice of health authorities to stay home if they are sick and wash hands often with soap.
MIAMI-DADE BEACHES EMPTY
3:25 p.m.: All beaches and parks in Miami-Dade must close under an order that also covers most recreational areas. And the beaches are already empty Thursday.
Here’s aerial footage from Miami Herald photojournalist Matias J. Ocner that shows just how empty Miami-Dade beaches are following the order ...
PUBLIX SETS SPECIAL HOURS FOR OLDER SHOPPERS
2:45 p.m.: Publix supermarkets have designated special shopping hours for older customers who may be more susceptible to the effects of the coronavirus.
Starting March 24, shoppers exclusively ages 65 or older will be able to shop at all Publix grocery stores on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7-8 a.m. The stores’ pharmacies will also open at 7 a.m. for seniors.
Other stores that have set special hours for seniors and others most at-risk include The Fresh Market, Sedano’s, Target and Whole Foods.
MIAMI MAYOR GIVES UPDATE
1:30 p.m.: It has been more than a week since Miami Mayor Francis Suarez tested positive for COVID-19, and he’s still experiencing only mild symptoms.
“My symptoms are still relatively mild, basically cold-like symptoms,” Suarez said in a video posted to his Twitter account Thursday. “Basically the only medication I’ve taken throughout this process, and it was only on Day 1 and 2, was Tylenol for a little bit of an elevated temperature and for some minor body aches.”
MICKY ARISON OFFERS HELP
12:50 p.m.: President Donald Trump said he spoke Thursday morning with Carnival Corporation Chairman and Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, and Arison is ready to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump said: ”I spoke with Micky Arison at Carnival Cruise Lines and he’s going to make ships available. So in addition to the big medical ships that you have coming, if we should need ships, lots of rooms, they’ll be docked at New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco, different places. So I want to thank Micky Arison, that’s Carnival Cruise Lines.”
Trump said he hasn’t told Arison yet if Carnival’s ships will be needed.
“It was a very generous offer,” Trump said of Arison. “We appreciate it from Carnival.”
MIAMI-DADE ORDERS MORE BUSINESSES TO CLOSE
12:25 p.m.: The list of closures stemming from the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow.
Nail salons, golf courses, offices, trampoline parks, casinos and social clubs were among the various gathering spots ordered to close Thursday night by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in a mass shutdown except for “essential” services during the coronavirus crisis.
The order was signed Thursday morning.
Among the businesses allowed to remain open in Miami-Dade include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and other businesses considered vital to daily life. That includes all government buildings, coin laundries, healthcare providers, taxi operations, and carryout and delivery services from restaurants.
UPDATED FLORIDA CASE NUMBERS
11:45 a.m.: The state of Florida confirmed overnight 62 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 390. Nearly half of those cases continue to be in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
The Florida Department of Health added nine cases in Miami-Dade County, bringing the total to 86. In Broward County, 16 cases were added overnight, bringing the total to 96 there.
Miami-Dade and Broward now represent 46.7 percent of the state’s cases.
ZOO MIAMI CLOSES
11:35 a.m.: Add Zoo Miami to the list of South Florida attractions to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Essential staff will continue to report to work to ensure that all of the animals are receiving the same quality care they have always received and that care will continue without interruption,” the zoo said Thursday.
The zoo is closed until further notice.
COLOMBIA SUSPENDS INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
11:25 a.m.: Starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 23, Colombia will suspend all incoming international flights for 30 days. Colombia had already closed its land, sea and river borders.
In a national address Thursday, President Iván Duque said his priority was the safety of the country.
Colombia had already barred all foreigners — except for residents and diplomats — from arriving. But the new measure effectively even bars Colombians who may be abroad.
MIAMI-DADE CLOSES BEACHES, PARKS
10:35 a.m.: Walks and runs in the park are being eliminated to combat the spread of the coronavirus. All beaches and parks in Miami-Dade must close under an order that also covers most recreational areas.
The latest order by County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, described Thursday morning by a top deputy, reverses the mayor’s policy issued just a day before, which capped gatherings in parks to fewer than 10 people. By Wednesday night, the decision was made to declare an outright ban on using parks or beaches, said Michael Spring, Gimenez’s deputy who oversees parks.
“You cannot take a walk in a park,” Spring said. “But you can take a walk down the street you live on.”
The order has not been made public, but Spring said it took effect Thursday. “We’re closed, effective 9 a.m.,” Spring said.
ANOTHER SOUTH FLORIDA MALL CLOSES
10 a.m.: Brickell City Centre announced Wednesday that it was closing from Thursday through March 25, at minimum, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Select common areas will remain open, accessible, and maintained to allow access to the mall’s restaurants, which are servicing takeout and delivery orders.
Sawgrass Mills, Dadeland and Aventura malls, among others, closed as of 7 p.m. Wednesday, the malls’ owner, Simon Property Group, announced Wednesday. Simon’s malls and premium outlets will be closed until March 29.
The South Florida malls and outlets that will be affected by the Simon announcement include Aventura, Coral Square, Dadeland, Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace, Miami International, Sawgrass Mills, The Colonnade Outlets, The Falls and the Town Center in Boca Raton.
“The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” David Simon, Simon’s chairman, chief executive and president, said in a statement.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 10:55 AM.
