Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on April 4
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.
Almost 200 coronavirus-related deaths in Florida
6:45 p.m.: The Florida Health Department said Saturday evening the state now has 11,545 confirmed COVID-19 cases — a jump of 1,277 from the day before — and 195 deaths.
See the full breakdown here.
Another cruise ship worker with coronavirus evacuated
5:50 p.m.: A sick crew member was evacuated off the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship Saturday, one of several medical evacuations off cruise ships this week.
Royal Caribbean, which owns the ship, confirmed the evacuation. The Coast Guard, which evacuated the crew member from the ship, said the patient had COVID-19. The medical evacuation was recommended by a Coast Guard flight surgeon.
Read the full story here.
‘Fear factor’ among South Florida police amplified
4 p.m.: The death of Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy Shannon Bennet, a 12-year BSO veteran, underscored the risks experienced by first-responders and amplified calls from the local police union to better protect deputies, who say they are faced with a shortage of gear meant to protect them from an invisible killer.
Bennet’s death increased the “fear factor” at police departments across South Florida, said Steadman Stahl, president of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association.
“Nobody wants to be a statistic,” Stahl said. “Unfortunately for our job, we can’t walk away from it. That’s why we encourage the public, if you’re out there, you’re just exposing the officers.”
Read the full story here.
Coral Princess update
3:45 p.m.: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said two people were taken from Coral Princess cruise ship after it docked in Port Miami to Larkin Community Hospital. Three others are being sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa for treatment. During an online press conference, Gimenez offered condolences to family members of two passengers who died aboard the Princess. “It’s heartbreaking news,” he said.
Gimenez said about 65 passengers and crew members will remain on the ship under quarantine. He said that group was deemed not fit for travel because of symptoms or their medical conditions, but not so critical that they needed to be rushed to a hospital. Onboard medical staff will treat them, Gimenez said. Of the 65, 27 are passengers and 38 are crew.
Read the full story here.
Another coronavirus testing site in Miami-Dade
2:45 p.m.: Miami-Dade County is opening a new drive-through coronavirus testing site at the South Dade Government Center for anyone over 18 years old who shows symptoms or meet other federal guidelines for testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The center, at 10710 SW 211 St, in Cutler Bay, will offer 300 appointments per day beginning Sunday. Those who wish to be tested must make an appointment by calling 305-499-8767, the same number used for the county’s Hard Rock Stadium testing center.
Read the full story here.
Broward superintendent expects school to remain online
2:30 p.m.: Broadcast from his home, Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie in a video address Friday night summed up the school district’s first week of online learning — and predicted this would be the new norm for the rest of the school year.
“We recognize that the pandemic will continue to grow and anticipate more challenging conditions emerging over the next several weeks,” he said. “Consequently, it is reasonable for all of us to plan for continuing distance learning through the end of the school year.”
Read the full story here.
Pay cuts and furloughs at Jackson Health
12:30 p.m.: One week after asking non-clinical workers to use their paid leave to help shore up hospital finances sapped by the coronavirus pandemic, leaders of Jackson Health System announced pay cuts for executives and managers and furloughs for other workers who do not provide patient care.
Carlos Migoya, chief executive of Miami-Dade’s public hospital, announced the austerity measures in a memo to employees on Friday afternoon. He said the cuts are needed to help make up for significant financial losses stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
Read the full story here.
More than 11,000 confirmed cases in Florida
Noon: Florida now has 11,111 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 191 deaths, the state Department of Health said Saturday morning. That’s a rise of 732 new confirmed cases and 21 more deaths.
In South Florida, Miami-Dade has 3,667 confirmed cases and 30 deaths, Broward has 1,792 cases and 31 deaths, Palm Beach has 908 cases and 34 deaths, and Monroe has 41 cases and one death.
Read the full story here.
More than 55K South Floridians out of a job, unable to pay rent
11:50 a.m.: Tens of thousands of service and hospitality workers in South Florida — the nation’s least affordable housing market for renters — are out of a job because of the coronavirus and likely unable to pay the rent that was due on April 1.
The Miami Herald set out to determine just how many.
Our estimate: more than 55,000.
That’s the number of South Florida renters who were living on the edge even before becoming suddenly unemployed, underemployed, or furloughed after the virus struck, according to a Herald analysis. The analysis was done in consultation with researchers at Florida International University using federal housing data provided by the University of Florida. It is almost certainly an undercount.
Read the full story here.
Coral Princess on its way to Port Miami
9:50 a.m.: Two people have died aboard the Coral Princess, which is now headed for a Saturday morning docking in Port Miami, passengers said.
The Captain announced the updates to passengers Saturday morning, said Shannon Kilbane, a passenger from California.
“I am so sorry for those affected family and friends,” she said.
Spokesman Jason Nieman told the Miami Herald the Coast Guard has given the Coral Princess permission to enter U.S. waters and arrive at the Port of Miami.
Read the full story here.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy dies of COVID-19
9:35 a.m.: The Broward Sheriff’s Office lost one of its veteran deputies to the coronavirus, the department announced Saturday morning.
Deputy Shannon Bennett, who served for 12 years, died Friday night of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, said Sheriff Gregory Tony.
Bennett was 39 and a member of the LGBTQ community. He contracted the virus while “in the line of duty,” Tony said, and had been in the care of a local hospital since March 27.
Read the full story here.
From our columnists
9:30 a.m.: In addition to our reporters working around the clock to provide the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus pandemic, our columnists have written several pieces on the disease and its impact. A few:
▪ From Leonard Pitts Jr.: Geez, even Superman and Wonder Woman have been laid low by the coronavirus
▪ From Carl Hiaasen: ‘Praise the Lord and pass the Purell, people!
▪ From Andres Oppenheimer: The world might — might! — become a better place because of COVID-19
Coronavirus behind bars
9 a.m.: For thousands of inmates in South Florida jails, and the officers tasked with guarding them, life in normal times is cramped, unclean and uncomfortable enough.
The coronavirus has added another level of dread and misery.
At Miami-Dade’s main booking jail, new arrestees get put into one of three isolation wings for at least 14 days, just in case they caught the coronavirus out on the streets. No inmates have tested positive — but only a couple have actually been tested.
Most figure it’s only a matter of time before the highly contagious virus spreads in the cramped quarters of Miami-Dade’s three jails.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
8:30 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Saturday begins.
▪ There are more than 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida.
▪ Miami-Dade may want some of your blood to track stealthy spread of coronavirus
▪ Small business loan program hits roadblocks as banks write their own rules
▪ As dozens of ships hover offshore, Bahamas says no sick cruise passengers, crew allowed
▪ As coronavirus cases grow, calls for rapid testing and medical gear in Haiti go unanswered
This story was originally published April 4, 2020 at 9:01 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on April 4."
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