Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on June 13
We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state.
Check back for updates on COVID-19 throughout the day.
South Florida Japanese buffet figures out a way to open
2 p.m.: Didn’t expect to see a “we are open” and “welcome back” signage outside the neighborhood Shinju Japanese Buffet restaurant in the South Miami area the other day. Given that the Sweet Tomatoes chain folded during the quarantine and most buffets did not open when restaurants were given the go-ahead — albeit with restrictions — some fans figured Shinju would be a goner.
But on Thursday, Shinju opened its doors, a manager at the Miami branch said Friday.
It’s a different experience, though.
Much like Publix, which opened its in-store salad and soup buffets, Shinju isn’t self-serve at this time.
Instead, you line up en route to the buffet area, which is now draped in clear plastic attached to the ceiling. A server stands in the middle of the hot food trays on one side and the dessert and shrimp and lobster trays on the other. You point to the sushi rolls or the shrimp ‘n’ mayo or Wonton soup or sesame chicken or any other item you want and the staffer ladles it out for you and hands you the plate.
Your hot green tea still comes in a silver tea pot at your table, but a waitress will give you a Styrofoam cup you can pour it into. Ditto your water. And the utensils — forks and spoons —were disposable plastic.
You have to wear a mask to enter the restaurant and to approach the buffet line and area and the restrooms. Of course, you can take it off while seated and dining. Shinju is following other restaurants’ protocols for social distancing by seating people with empty tables between and limiting the time you can sit at one to 90 minutes. Parties of more than five have to sit at separate tables.
Shinju Japanese Buffet has locations in Miami, Coral Springs, Davie, Pembroke Pines and Boca Raton. Don’t forget to tip.
With 2,581 new coronavirus cases, Florida hits a record high for the third day in a row
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12:20 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Saturday morning reported a new daily record high of 2,581 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 — surpassing the previous high by 679. The previous high was hit on Friday. And the high before that was hit on Thursday.
Read the full story here.
Florida opens new testing sites
9:55 a.m.: This week, the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced two new COVID-19 testing sites across the state have been created through a partnership with Home Depot and Quest Diagnostics. The testing sites will be located in Home Depot parking lots.
The new Home Depot parking lot locations are:
▪ 2350 Cortez Rd., Bradenton.
▪ 1315 U.S. Highway 19, Holiday.
A Home Depot on 9820 Glades Rd. in Boca Raton had previously opened.
The testing sites will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily for walk-up and will do 100 tests per day. Results should be ready in five days to a week.
Is the party over, Miami? Nightclub owners say they feel like the ‘forgotten stepchild’
9:15 a.m.: When will nightclubs in South Florida open? Will our famous nightlife ever return to normal after the coronavirus pandemic?
Megan and Behrouz Nazari, owners of Miami Beach’s Do Not Sit on the Furniture, are in a holding pattern, like the rest of the industry.
“We’re trying to stay positive, but it’s not easy,” said Megan. “We feel like the forgotten stepchild.”
Other locals weigh in on life in the COVID-19 era.
Read the full story here.
In Miami-Dade, COVID hospitalizations fall while new cases surge. Here’s what we know
9 a.m.: Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are rising in Florida, but in Miami-Dade, hospitalizations are trending down. On Friday, for example, the state’s health department reported a second record day of new COVID-19 cases, with 1,902. COVID-19 hospitalizations in Miami-Dade — the hardest-hit county in the state — dropped to 546, the lowest number since April 7. How do you make sense of all the numbers? Public health experts weigh in on the most valuable metrics.
Read the full story here.
Legislators to DeSantis: Be fully transparent with COVID-19 data, ‘Floridians can handle it’
8:50 a.m.: Florida’s lawmakers and elder-care advocates on Friday urged Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Health to refrain from withholding details about the spread of the novel coronavirus and allow the public to better evaluate the risk of being exposed to the infection as the state continues to reopen.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
8:45 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Friday begins:
▪ Florida reports record high 1,902 new coronavirus cases, one day after previous record.
▪ Florida grand juries are still suspended, stalling murder cases, police shooting probes.
▪ Gloria Estefan’s new single is out. She chose it for a very timely reason.
This story was originally published June 13, 2020 at 8:59 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on June 13."
