Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on June 19
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.
Inter Miami player tests positive for COVID-19, may still play July 8 game.
1:30 p.m.: An Inter Miami player tested positive for COVID-19 and has been in isolation since early in the week. The unnamed player was asymptomatic and still feels fine, but had been sent home from practice after he reported in a mandatory daily health questionnaire that he had been in the company of someone who showed mild symptoms.
Inter Miami began full-squad practices on June 9 at its Fort Lauderdale training complex and, per league protocol, players have been tested every other day. Some days they undergo nasal tests, other days saliva.
He was the fifth Major League Soccer player to test positive. Four were asymptomatic, one had mild symptoms. None required hospitalization. As of now, with a 14-day quarantine period, the player could be back in time for the resumption of the season on July 8 in Orlando.
Read the full story to learn more.
Florida breaks another single-day record, with 3,822 new coronavirus cases
1:15 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Friday morning confirmed 3,822 additional cases of COVID-19, setting another daily total record high since the start of the pandemic. The state now has a total of 89,748 confirmed cases.
Previously, the highest daily total recorded was on Thursday, when 3,207 cases were reported. There were also 43 new deaths announced, raising the statewide death toll to 3,104.
Read the full story here.
Disney cancels Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2020, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival will resume despite coronavirus concerns
10:20 a.m.: Walt Disney World canceled its annual after-hours Halloween party at Magic Kingdom and announced that its popular food and wine festival will begin when Epcot reopens in July, according to the Associated Press.
The popular Halloween event usually runs on select days from August through the beginning of November and features trick-or-treating, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, character meet-and-greets with villains and holiday-themed fireworks.
The announcement comes as Disney prepares its theme parks for a July reopening after being closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Walt Disney Company’s theme park reopening plans were approved last month by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen on July 11, followed by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15. The theme parks will be reopening at limited capacity with new social distancing regulations in place. Some of those changes include temperature checks, face coverings and a new park reservation system for entry into the parks.
Read the full story here.
These new Miami restaurants opened during the pandemic. Here’s where to find them
9:30 a.m.: The coronavirus pandemic closed and hurt many restaurants in Miami, in Florida and all around the country.
But as cities and Miami-Dade County loosened restrictions and businesses started opening up, some restaurateurs decided to try their luck and open new venues.
Click here to see few of the places that opened in the wake of COVID-19.
18 test positive for COVID-19 at His House, Florida’s largest foster group home
9:25 a.m.: Eleven children and seven staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in Florida’s largest group home for foster children, the facility’s executive director confirmed to the Miami Herald.
His House Children’s Home, a private, nonprofit, faith-based organization based near Miami Gardens, has had a slow but steady increase in reported cases over the past several weeks, after one child first exhibited a 99-degree fever on June 1.
The child tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. A total of 47 children of the 49 children at His House have been tested so far, according to Esther Jacobo, director of the Citrus Family Care Network, the state-contracted agency that oversees child welfare services in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
His House serves foster children from throughout the state, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa. Citrus currently oversees 1,534 children in Miami-Dade County, Jacobo said, including children who live with their foster parents or children living in “high risk” households.
His House also cares for unaccompanied immigrant children under a federal program through the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:20 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Friday begins.
Miami-Dade COVID numbers worsen. Mayor: People ‘too comfortable’ ignoring mask rules
Strip clubs, movie theaters start opening in Miami-Dade despite coronavirus trends
DeSantis attributes COVID surge to farm workers. Aid groups say testing help came late
Broward preschool camp suspended after two teachers test positive for COVID-19
Coronavirus outbreak strikes dozens of Miami VA staff. No workers hospitalized yet
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 9:46 AM.
