Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on September 17
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.
State bars new patients from small Homestead ALF citing COVID infections, other issues
5 p.m.: Saying the facility failed to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its residents, state regulators on Wednesday issued an emergency moratorium barring a Homestead assisted living facility from accepting new residents or readmitting old ones, the News Service of Florida reported.
According to the emergency order filed by the Agency for Health Care Administration, Llina’s ALF, LLC, in Homestead failed to provide its staff members with competent isolation and contagion training during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, as a result, “has not provided residents with qualified staff to meet their needs.”
Read the story here.
Florida resident death toll hits 13,000 as state adds 3,255 new coronavirus cases
Noon: Florida’s Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 3,255 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s known total to 674,456. There were also 147 Florida resident deaths announced, bringing the resident death toll to 13,086.
Read the report here.
Miami-Dade, Broward teacher unions demand safety precautions
8:05 a.m.: Ahead of a possible reopening of schools for in-person learning on Oct. 5 or earlier, the teachers unions of Miami-Dade and Broward school districts are asking for safety precautions in the classroom.
Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco joined United Teachers of Dade president Karla Hernandez-Mats at a press conference at UTD’s new Miami Springs headquarters Thursday to share similar concerns before returning to the classroom, particularly about cleanliness and social distance protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools will find out more about school reopening following a publicly streamed 2 p.m. meeting Thursday with medical experts.
Read the story here.
Movie theaters allowed to reopen Friday in Miami-Dade with rules
8 a.m.: Movie theaters can reopen Friday across Miami-Dade, two months after they were closed by emergency order as the county faced rapid COVID-19 spread and a surge in coronavirus admissions in hospitals.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he planned to sign an order Wednesday allowing theaters to resume operations under rules requiring half-empty screenings and banning customers from eating popcorn at their seats. Along with a 50% capacity cap for theaters, food and drink will only be allowed in designated areas.
Read the story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
8 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Thursday begins.
▪ Florida adds 2,355 coronavirus cases as resident death toll nears 13,000.
▪ How hard will COVID-19 hit Miami-Dade this fall? Potential scenarios.
▪ After coronavirus cases soared, Florida prison chief says state response was ‘effective.’
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on September 17."
