Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 3
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.
PROTESTERS RALLY OUTSIDE FREEDOM TOWER
5:30 p.m.: On Sunday afternoon, protesters held a rally outside of the Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami to request that South Florida officials lift restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing businesses to reopen and access to natural areas and open spaces.
MIAMI-DADE CLARIFIES THAT NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES ARE STILL CLOSED
4:40 p.m.: In a press release sent out Sunday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez made it clear non-essential businesses remain closed until further notice. The only reopening in Miami-Dade County has been of parks, golf courses, marinas and boat ramps with restrictions.
“We have received information from around the community that some businesses are asking employees to return to work this week and some are even emailing clients with news that they are reopening this week,” the release from the Miami-Dade mayor stated. “Reopening of non-essential businesses is not allowed at this time, and the Miami-Dade Police Department will continue to enforce the closures as indicated in the emergency order pertaining to businesses, as well as any other emergency orders which have called for the closure of beaches, community pools, etc., that are also still in effect.
“The “New Normal Initiative” is underway, but we must continue to be prudent in the steps we take. We urge residents and business owners to continue to follow the rules set in place by the emergency orders, as we continue to work toward reopening in the safest way possible for everyone in Miami-Dade County and across South Florida.”
The confusion in Miami-Dade comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced days ago that Florida will start lifting stay-at-home orders beginning Monday, with restaurants and shops being allowed to reopen with limited capacity. But the order does not apply to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, where the pandemic has hit hardest.
MORE THAN 1 MILLION FLORIDA WORKERS HAVE FILED UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
3:40 p.m.: Florida has now reported over 1 million unemployed workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, a bleak milestone as the state continues to lag on processing a massive caseload.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the state has received 1,025,657 unique unemployment claims as of May 3, and has so far paid 452,526.
Read the full story here.
COVID-19 TESTING SITE OPENS MONDAY AT WALMART NEAR HIALEAH
3:20 p.m.: Three-day-a-week drive-up COVID-19 testing begins Monday morning at the Walmart located at 3200 NW 79th St. between Hialeah and Miami’s Liberty City, but here are a few things you need to know before planning to go ...
SHARE YOUR STORY OF A SOUTH FLORIDA CORONAVIRUS VICTIM
2:45 p.m.: Each death from COVID-19 has left a hole in the community: grandparents who can no longer spoil their grandchildren, people unable to marry their fiancees, children who will grow up motherless.
The Miami Herald has started to tell those stories as a testament to those we’ve lost, and we need your help.
Share your story of a loved one you’ve lost to the coronavirus here. Help us show the community what was lost.
WHAT WILL SUMMER CAMPS BE LIKE THIS YEAR?
12:45 p.m.: Summer camps are a basic necessity for millions of families across the country.
But given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and concerns over health and safety even into the summer months, whether there will be summer camp programs — and what that might entail — is in flux in South Florida.
Several camps in Miami-Dade are planning to offer programs starting in June but most details are up in the air. With restrictions to large gatherings and social-distancing requirements still in place, some camps will offer smaller programs, while some providers are planning virtual camps. Overnight camps haven’t decided what to do. Some have canceled their programs altogether. The American Camp Association said member camps are “awaiting further guidance from the CDC, as well as state and county public health authorities.”
Read the full story here.
FLORIDA’S UPDATED CASE NUMBERS
12:10 p.m.: The gross number of confirmed COVID-19 cases moved past 36,000 as of Sunday’s Department of Health update while the percentage of known positive test results inched downward statewide and in individual South Florida counties.
Of Florida’s 615 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, putting the state at 36,078, 248 (40.3%) came from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. The 15 newly reported deaths around the state, raising the state death toll to 1,379, include six (40%) from South Florida.
Read the full update on Florida’s case numbers here. The next update on Florida’s coronavirus numbers will come Monday morning.
SOUTH POINTE PARK PARKING LOT CLOSED
11:50 a.m.: The City of Miami Beach announced Sunday it has closed the parking lot at South Pointe Park, which was previously open to non-residents, until further notice due to big crowds.
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS GIVE CRITIQUE OF FLORIDA’S REOPENING PLAN
9:30 a.m.: Restaurants, state parks and stores will open in most of Florida on Monday for the first time in weeks. Businesses once deemed “nonessential” will welcome back workers. Hospitals will perform surgeries put on hold since March.
South Florida has to wait a while longer because the COVID-19 hot spots of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are not included in the changes that go into effect Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis asserts his plan can get business flowing while keeping people safe. Is he right?
The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald asked seven public health experts to review DeSantis’ plan. Combined, their backgrounds reflect more than 150 years of experience working in medicine for universities, governments and hospitals.
Here’s what those public health experts had to say ...
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:10 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Sunday begins.
▪ State coronavirus cases top 35,000 as South Florida death toll reaches 769
▪ After six weeks of lockdown, Miamians enjoy first weekend of reopened parks, marinas
▪ There’s got to be a better way to handle crowds at Miami-Dade marinas. Here are a few | Editorial
▪ Masks at gyms, manis with plexiglass. How businesses will reopen amid coronavirus
▪ ‘Strike team’ arrives at Florida Keys nursing home to test staff, residents for COVID-19
▪ 3 Miami COVID-19 patients successfully treated with ‘promising’ stem cell therapy
▪ Turnpike revenue drop shows Floridians were staying home even before governor’s order
This story was originally published May 3, 2020 at 9:14 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 3."
