Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on July 26
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.
People with disabilities face challenges during pandemic
4:07 p.m.: People with disabilities are navigating increased isolation, uprooted routines and remote therapy and school sessions as the pandemic rages on.
Read the full story here.
Lauderhill police officer dies of coronavirus complications
10:13 p.m.: Corey Pendergrass, a police officer in the city of Lauderhill in Broward County, died Sunday morning from complications related to COVID-19, the department announced. Pendergrass had worked for Lauderhill police since 1997.
In a statement late Sunday, Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley described Pendergrass as someone “who was always there when you needed him.”
“He enjoyed being a police officer and was always willing to do what it took to get the job done. He was described by many as a ‘gentle giant,’ ” Stanley said. “He was a mentor to co-workers and members of the community. Corey had a very unique way of dealing with members of the public and has been known to leave an indelible impression on those he encountered.”
She added: “Corey never let anything get the best of him and always looked at the positive side of things when faced with adversity. Corey will be sorely missed by us all. Corey, may you rest in peace. We will forever love and remember you for the person you were.”
Pendergrass is survived by his wife and children.
Multiple Marlins reportedly test positive for COVID-19
1:21 p.m.: Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena, first baseman Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez have all tested positive for COVID-19, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Urena was scratched from the lineup shortly before the Marlins’ 1:05 p.m. game in Philadelphia on Sunday, though no official reason was given.
The team’s starting catcher, Jorge Alfaro, had previously been placed on the Injured List on Friday for undisclosed reasons, though there was speculation that the move was COVID-related.
Hopeful signs in the data? COVID-like illness reports decline
12:14 p.m.: State health officials recorded a significant decrease in the weekly count of emergency visits for influenza-like illness and COVID-like illness in Sunday’s report. Reported visits for COVID-like illness declined from almost 14,000 the week of July 12 to around 8,000 the week of July 19, the Florida Department of Health said. Influenza-like illness visits dipped from over 5,000 to under 4,000 in that span.
The trend was similar in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade also saw a decrease in patients admitted with COVID-19 on Sunday, according to the county’s dashboard. It was the sixth straight day that discharges outpaced new patients. But the number of intensive care unit patients ticked up from 550 to 568, well above the approximately 400 ICU beds typically available in hospitals countywide.
FDOH announces over 9,000 new cases, 77 resident deaths
10:54 a.m.: The Florida Department of Health confirmed 9,344 new cases of COVID-19 and 77 deaths among Florida residents in its Sunday morning update. State health officials also announced one non-resident death. The update brings the statewide totals to 423,855 confirmed cases since the pandemic began and 5,972 deaths. Sunday is the first time in six days that Florida has announced fewer than 100 deaths from COVID-19.
Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties accounted for 4,694 (50.2%) of the new cases and 37 (47.4%) of the new deaths.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:21 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Sunday begins.
▪ The Florida Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 12,199 additional statewide cases of COVID-19 and 124 new Florida resident deaths. It was the fifth straight day with over 100 deaths announced.
▪ Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, or AHCA, gathers far more information on COVID-19 hospitalizations than it shares with the public.
▪ Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision-making during the coronavirus crisis has become “increasingly shaped by politics and divorced from scientific evidence,” the Washington Post reports. Rather than relying on the advice of scientists, the Post reports, the governor relies mainly on his wife, Casey, and his chief of staff, Shane Strum.
Staff writers Ben Conarck and Monique O. Madan contributed reporting.
This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on July 26."
