Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 24
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.
POOLS IN MIAMI-DADE MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS CAN REOPEN JUNE 1
4:40 p.m.: Swimming pools in private multi-family buildings can reopen Monday, June 1, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Sunday as he continues to pull back on social distancing measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pools in condominiums and apartment complexes have been off limits since March 30.
Gimenez has yet to release the rules that people will have to follow, saying only that the pool reopenings will be “subject to certain restrictions.” The mayor said he would review the recommendations of medical experts later this week before releasing an order.
Read the full story here.
HIALEAH ALF CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS VIOLATIONS
3:30 p.m.: By the time Florida health officials arrived to survey the Salmos 23 V LLC assisted living facility in Hialeah last Wednesday, 47 residents had already been hospitalized with COVID-19.
When inspectors got there, they found a facility they deemed woefully unprepared to deal with the highly contagious respiratory virus. One thing inspectors observed: An employee that the facility knew tested positive for the virus was taking the temperatures of other staff members entering the facility while wearing no personal protective equipment.
The inspectors’ initial observation was cited in an emergency order by the state Friday night suspending the facility’s license.
Read the full story here.
RULES RELEASED FOR MIAMI-DADE BEACH REOPENINGS
2:40 p.m.: Face masks will be required to enter Miami-Dade County beaches when they reopen June 1 but not when visitors are in the water or maintaining social distance, according to a draft guide to reopen beaches circulated by the county.
Sunbathing, walking and jogging will be allowed, as will the renting of beach concessions like lounge chairs and umbrellas. But no groups bigger than 10 people will be allowed to gather, and common areas like picnic tables and playgrounds will stay off limits.
Signs will be posted at the beach highlighting “do and don’t” activities and warning of the “consequences for non-adherence,” like removal from the beach.
Read the full story here.
CITY OF MIAMI TESTING CENTERS CLOSED TOMORROW
1:30 p.m.: City of Miami COVID-19 testing centers and services will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Services are available Sunday as usual, and they will resume Tuesday.
FLORIDA’S UPDATED CASE NUMBERS
12:40 p.m.: For the second consecutive day, less than half the state’s new confirmed novel coronavirus cases came from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, the pandemic’s epicenter in Florida. South Florida, combined, had 301 of the state’s 740 new cases. Florida now has 50,867 known confirmed cases with 2,237 deaths.
The state reported only four new deaths Sunday, two of which were in Miami-Dade.
Read the full update on Florida’s case numbers here. The next update on Florida’s coronavirus numbers will come Monday morning.
CAMPAIGNS ENGAGING FLORIDA VOTERS FROM HOME
9:20 a.m.: When the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down in-person campaign operations for the 2020 election in March, staff and volunteers to the left and the right had to quickly become strategic, nimble and most of all, 100% digital.
Democrats are in the process of beefing up their digital staff by hiring 12 organizers, two for Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitch and Twitter.
They are hosting digital block parties with DJs, “phone bank” bingo games and wine nights for volunteers. On Pinterest, the party is targeting the wide swath of suburban, female Joe Biden supporters by partnering with designers to create guides on how to design a workspace fit for volunteering.
But Democrats have a long way to go to catch up with Republicans, who have logged over 6.2 million calls to Florida voters since they switched to a virtual campaign March 12, compared to Democrats’ 1.6 million.
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 Sunday begins.
▪ Florida coronavirus cases top 50,000 as death toll hits 2,232
▪ Holiday drew few to Miami parks reopened in COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer still wore masks
▪ Telecommuting was a hit in the COVID-19 shutdown. So who’s rushing back to the office?
▪ Pools closed, gyms barred — residents groan: Condos adjust to life in the COVID era
▪ NBA in talks with Disney to resume season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
▪ Miami cardiologist Eugene Sayfie dies of COVID-19. He was still caring for ‘everybody’
▪ Virgin Voyages crew member dies on ship, Coast Guard says. Another in cruise industry deaths
▪ Bal Harbour rabbi who survived coronavirus preparing to reopen his synagogue
This story was originally published May 24, 2020 at 8:56 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on May 24."
