Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on September 16
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.
18 hand sanitizers have been added to FDA’s Do Not Use List in 19 days
4:45 p.m.: As the FDA’s Do Not Use List of hand sanitizers grew by 18 to 183 over the last 19 days, it conjured the scent of South Florida summer as much as aloe or alcohol.
Companies based in Coral Gables, Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood imported, distributed or sold nine of those 18 hand sanitizers.
The list that began with just hand sanitizers that had methanol, which the FDA terms potentially “toxic” if rubbed into the skin, and sanitizers made in the same production facilities as those with methanol, has expanded. Also included now are hand sanitizers testing as subpotent; having 1-propanol; or made in the same places as hand sanitizers that are subpotent or have 1-propanol.
Read the list of products here.
Masks may do more than a vaccine to protect against COVID-19: CDC
4:30 p.m.: The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said face masks may do a better job at protecting against COVID-19 than a vaccine — contradicting prior comments from President Donald Trump about the importance of masks.
Dr. Robert Redfield said during a Senate hearing Wednesday that there is “clear scientific evidence” face masks work and that they’re “our best defense” against the virus.
“I might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine because the immunogenicity may be 70%, and if I don’t get an immune response the vaccine’s not going to protect me,” he said. “This face mask will.”
Read the story here.
How hard will COVID-19 hit Miami-Dade this fall? Potential scenarios
2 p.m.: Throughout the course of the novel coronavirus pandemic, public health experts have feared it could follow the pattern set in 1918, when a massive “second wave” of an influenza virus in the fall caused far more deaths and illness than the first, spring wave.
Now, roughly six months after life in Miami-Dade County and much of the world was upended by the COVID-19 virus, concerns over that deadly second wave in South Florida have eased somewhat, according to several public health experts interviewed by the Miami Herald.
Despite guarded optimism about the future, the experts agreed that a severe autumn resurgence could still materialize quickly.
Read the story here.
Florida adds 2,355 coronavirus cases as resident death toll nears 13,000
11:35 a.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed 2,355 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s known total to 671,201. There were also 152 Florida resident deaths announced, bringing the resident death toll to 12,939.
Two new non-resident deaths were also announced, bringing the non-resident toll to 161.
Read the report here.
Should Key West relax a law that requires masks outside? Leaders will talk about it
10:30 a.m.: Should people still be required to wear masks outside, even when they’re walking the dog with no one else around?
Key West city commissioners will consider relaxing parts of the island’s strict mask law, which requires face coverings nearly everywhere, even if social distancing is possible.
Right now, the law requires you to mask up outdoors, meaning while running, biking or holding a pet’s leash. But the outside-always rule would end if the proposed changes are approved.
The seven-member commission will take up the issue at 5 p.m . Wednesday at a virtual meeting that will air on the city’s website.
Learn more about the proposed change here.
At least 68 percent of Keys students are back in the classroom, early figures show
10:18 a.m.: More than two-thirds of the total number of students enrolled in the Monroe County School District showed up in classrooms Monday, according to school officials.
On Monday, 5,910 students were in classroom seats across the island chain, while 2,025 were learning virtually, Herrin said.
That means at least 68 percent of the number of students enrolled were in classrooms.
But the numbers don’t reflect students in middle school and high school who are on a hybrid schedule, dividing their time between attending school and learning at home.
Read the full story here.
Miami city parks to reopen after months of COVID closures
9:35 a.m.: Miami plans to reopen more than 100 parks inside city limits on Sept. 28 after months of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city will also lift certain restrictions on team sports and other park activities.
An internal memo confirmed the city’s plan for reopening as the number of COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade continues to slowly decline. Officials are expected to make an announcement this week.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:30 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Wednesday begins.
▪ Florida adds more than 100 new COVID-19 deaths as toll in Miami-Dade nears 3,000
▪ Students might return to classrooms in October, Broward superintendent says
▪ Keys public schools welcome all students who want to come back to the classroom
▪ Undocumented workers ‘completely adrift’ as crisis persists
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on September 16."
