Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on August 21
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.
Open a resort in the middle of a pandemic? These developers are giving it a go
3:45 p.m.: THesis Hotel first came off the drawing board seven years ago, when pandemic was still a sci-fi theme.
The developers of the Paseo de la Riviera condo saw it as a much-needed amenity for the lodging desert on the southern edge of Coral Gables, near the University of Miami. The upscale, 254-room hotel would complement the residences and restaurant on South Dixie Highway, near the University Metrorail Station.
For developers of the 155-room Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences in Riviera Beach, the process has run even longer.
Now, with construction complete, both hotels are opening during the tourism industry’s lowest moment in history. Hotel occupancy in Miami-Dade remained stuck at 30.8% in July, while in Palm Beach County it barely breached 36%, according to travel data group STR.
Read the story here.
More details on state’s report
1:25 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health said that the deaths of 119 Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 were reported in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Miami-Dade, Duval, Escambia, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Suwannee and Volusia counties.
The state also issues a list of long term care facilities with active COVID cases. As of Aug. 20, The Miami Care Center lists 100 residents who tested positive, the highest figure in the county, according to provisional numbers released by the health department.
Miami-Dade tops 150,000 coronavirus cases as Florida total grows by 4,684
11:50 a.m.: Miami-Dade now tops 150,000 coronavirus cases. Florida’s Department of Health on Thursday also announced 119 COVID-related resident deaths statewide — two more than Thursday — to bring the state’s resident death toll to 10,168.
There were also 4,684 additional cases of COVID-19 confirmed — a bump of 129 compared to Thursday’s new cases — bringing the state’s known total to 593,286.
Read the story here.
Sen. Rubio demands answers from Barr on COVID response at Florida prison
9:45 a.m.: Nearly nine months after demanding an investigation of allegations of rampant sexual abuse at Coleman Federal Correctional Complex exposed in a Miami Herald story, Sen Marco Rubio says he still hasn’t gotten a “substantive response.”
And he is not happy — especially since there is new cause for concern with COVID-19.
On Thursday, Rubio aired his grievances with the handling of the Sumter County complex — the largest prison facility in the federal system — in a letter to Attorney General William Barr.
Read the story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:45 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 hits 10,000 coronavirus deaths of residents, with 117 new fatalities reported.
▪ After rush of applicants, United Way closes pandemic fund for now.
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on August 21."
