Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on April 13
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.
THE STATE’S MONDAY NIGHT NUMBERS
8 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Monday evening confirmed 418 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide confirmed cases to 21,019. COVID-19 has so far claimed 499 lives statewide, 29 more confirmed deaths than were reported earlier Monday.
Here’s a complete look at Monday evening’s updated numbers for Florida.
FLORIDA SURGEON GENERAL SAYS SOCIAL DISTANCING SHOULD CONTINUE
6:15 p.m.: Floridians will be practicing social distancing measures and wearing face masks until a COVID-19 vaccine exists, even if that’s not for another year, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said Monday.
“Until we get a vaccine, which is a while off, this is going to be our new normal, and we need to adapt and protect ourselves,” he said.
Read the full story here.
LOTS OF TESTS ON FISHER ISLAND
5:05 p.m.: Fisher Island — one of the wealthiest ZIP Codes in the country — has purchased thousands of rapid COVID-19 blood test kits from the University of Miami Health System for all of its residents and workers.
The private island, set along Government Cut and nestled between Miami and Miami Beach and accessible only by boat, worked out a deal with UHealth to make the tests available to the 800 or so families that live there, and all the workers who maintain the property and patrol its streets.
Read the full story here.
LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN’T GET INFO ON LOVED ONE AT FLORIDA NURSING HOME
3:50 p.m.: Do you have a friend or relative in an ALF or nursing home? Have you been stymied trying to get information about how they are doing, whether anyone at the home has tested positive, and what precautions are being implemented to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy?
If so, we want to hear from you. Fill out this form out and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
TWO MORE OASIS OF THE SEAS CREW MEMBERS EVACUATED
2:25 p.m.: Two more crew members were medically evacuated from Oasis of the Seas while the ship was docked at PortMiami on Monday.
At least 14 people on board the Royal Caribbean ship have COVID-19, and at least nine have been evacuated to Florida hospitals in the last two weeks. The ship disembarked its last passengers in Miami on March 15.
Read the full story here.
MIAMI’S FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE
1:35 p.m.: The U.S. Bureau of Prisons is acknowledging that at least two employees at the Miami Federal Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19. A union official said Monday that a third officer at the Downtown Miami facility has also tested positive, and more are awaiting test results.
The official, Jose Rojas, has been openly critical of how the Bureau of Prisons has handled the coronavirus crisis. He said officers were not allowed to wear masks while on duty until April 8.
Read the full story here.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CANCELS CRUISES INTO JUNE
12:45 p.m.: Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday it is canceling all U.S. cruises through June 26. The company previously said it would resume cruising on May 12.
Read the full story here.
UPDATED FLORIDA CASE NUMBERS
12 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Monday morning confirmed 706 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total of confirmed cases to 20,601. Nine new deaths were reported, raising the statewide count to 470.
Miami-Dade County (7,241 confirmed COVID-19 cases) and Broward County (3,105 confirmed COVID-19 cases) make up 50.2 percent of the state’s case total.
Read the full update on Florida’s case numbers here. The state’s numbers will again be updated Monday evening.
WHERE TO FIND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ONLINE AMID PANDEMIC
11:35 a.m.: A person’s physical health is usually the focus during a pandemic. But mental health is very important, too.
Mental health resources can be accessed from home by telephone or video chat. Some don’t require health insurance and are still taking appointments through the pandemic.
Here’s what you need to know about the mental telemedicine services being offered at South Florida hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, including from the University of Miami Health System and Baptist Health South Florida.
HARD ROCK STADIUM EXPANDING ITS TESTING CRITERIA
9:10 a.m.: Hard Rock Stadium is expanding its testing criteria Monday to include anyone with COVID-19 symptoms.
Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, the following people can be tested at the stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr in Miami Gardens:
▪ Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of age
▪ Anyone who was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms
▪ All first responders and healthcare workers, including long-term care facility staff members
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Monday begins.
▪ Florida nears 20,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as Dade’s positive test rate increases
▪ Is your Florida ZIP Code a COVID-19 hot spot? Why it’s hard to know for sure
▪ Restaurants receive more than $1 million from Miami hospitality fund. More is needed
▪ Watch scenes from Notre Dame D’Haiti Catholic Church virtual Easter service
▪ Billions going to hospitals based on medicare billings, not COVID-19
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on April 13."
