Florida

TIMELINE: Coronavirus updates March 10

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida health officials are monitoring more than 300 people who are exhibiting possible symptoms of the coronovirus.

On Tuesday evening, the Department of Health said there are eight new positive cases in Florida.

Read live updates below:

See our full in-depth coverage from Tuesday night below:

11 p.m. update

The Villages, one of the biggest retirement communities in the country, is responding to the coronavirus. Watch the video below:

10:45 p.m. update

Eight new positive coronavirus cases have been reported in Florida, The Florida Department of Health announced Tuesday evening.

All individuals are being isolated and cared for, the Department of Health tweeted.

7:05 p.m. update

Vice President Mike Pence provided an update on the coronavirus in the U.S. Watch his address below:

WATCH LIVE: VP Mike Pence providing coronavirus update

WATCH LIVE: Vice President Mike Pence is set to provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. READ MORE: at.wftv.com/38FpUR0

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020

4:50 p.m. update

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the county’s economy has taken a $283 million hit so far due to cancellations because of the coronavirus, despite no positive cases in the county.

Much of that loss comes from canceled conventions, which means canceled hotel stays, and fewer people visiting and spending their money locally. Click here for the latest updates on convention/event cancellations.

But Demings said international travelers make up only 9% of the county’s visitors and that domestic travel has not been limited.

“We remain open for business here in Orange County," Demings said.

Demings said because people are running out of vacation options elsewhere, they may decide to stay or drive into Orange County, especially during spring break.

“We’re optimistic that we could potentially see an increase in the leisure travel here to our community," Demings said.

Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your own

4 p.m. update

There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Seminole County, but Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said the county is continuing to prepare.

Harris said hand sanitizing stations have been installed in public areas such as local libraries and city offices, and a new cleaning contract is in place that will put in place enhanced cleaning measures in public areas.

On Thursday, the county and the local Department of Health are scheduled to host a lunch-and-learn at Seminole State College for area businesses and community leaders to learn more about the county’s planned response if cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed in the county.

How to properly clean and sanitize your phone

3:55 p.m. update

Volusia County health officials said they can not confirm whether or not the two presumed cases of the coronavirus in the county are connected.

On Monday night, a 60-year-old woman tested positive. Over the weekend, a 66-year-old woman came back as “presumptive positive.”

The local health department said privacy laws prevent them from releasing if the two cases are related, if the two women had any contact with one another, which country they traveled to or how long they had been back in the country before their self-isolated.

Statewide, more than 200 people have tested negative for the virus with more than 150 tests still pending.

Volusia County school officials said they are taking steps to do lessons remotely if schools need to close related tot the outbreak.

Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis said they are also taking preventative steps at the polls to prevent the spread of the virus. She said they are wiping down polling booths and allowing people to fill out their ballots with their own pens.

”We don’t want voters to be afraid to go out to vote. We want both the voters and election workers to feel safe. Wash your hands before and after public places,” Lewis said in a statement.

3:30 p.m. update

Orange County Public Safety Director Danny Banks said while the county has had no positive cases of COVID-19, aggressive preventative measures are continuing.

“We’re not too naive to believe that we won’t have a case in Orange County," Banks said. "We’re fortunate, we’re very blessed so far that we have not. But we do believe the probability is there that we will get a case in Orange County.”

He said fewer than 20 people are currently being monitored in Orange County for the coronavirus, but that thousands have been screened by health service providers.

READ: Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

2:05 p.m. update

Orange County released the following list of convention cancellations for coronavirus:

Rescheduled events:

  • Minecraft Festival | September 25-27, 2020 | Rescheduled for 2021 | Estimated Attendance: 15,000 | Economic Impact: $19.3 million

READ: Coronavirus: Can the government make you stay home if you are sick?

1:30 p.m. update:

The Florida Department of Health said three employees of a company that greets cruise ship passengers at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Officials said those who recently traveled through the port should self-isolate for 14 days if they experiencing symptoms.

Read: Coronavirus: Can the government make you stay home if you are sick?

The agency said it is trying to connect with all employees of Metro Cruise Services who might have come into contact with the three infected co-workers.

Download the free WFTV news app for live updates, and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4 for full coverage.

Read: How to properly clean and sanitize your phone

See a map of the port below:


9:22 a.m. update:

Officials at the University of Central Florida gathered to discuss how to tackle the potential spread of the coronavirus on campus.


4:45 a.m. update:

Health officials in Florida are monitoring more than 300 people who are exhibiting possible symptoms of the coronavirus.

Here’s a refresher of the latest numbers relating to the coronavirus in Florida:

  • 13 people diagnosed in the state, including one in Volusia County.
  • Five Floridians were diagnosed and isolated outside of the state.
  • 2 people have died of the virus in the state.
  • 115 test results for the virus are still pending in Florida.
  • 302 people are currently being monitored.

Additional coverage:

Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

How to properly clean and sanitize your phone

Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your own

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

Christopher Boyce, WFTV.com

Christopher Boyce joined WFTV in January of 2019.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.