Florida

TIMELINE: Coronavirus updates March 25

ORLANDO, Fla. — Osceola and Orange County have both announced stay-at-home orders beginning Thursday.

See our in-depth coverage below:


Read live updates below:


6:30 p.m. update

The Florida Department of Health reported an additional 295 confirmed cases of coronavirus and another death.

There are now 1,977 cases in the state, and the death toll is at 23, state health officials said.

Read: How long does coronavirus live on surfaces?

Of the cases, 1,867 cases involve Florida residents and 110 of the cases involve nonresidents.

Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.


6 p.m. update

President Donald Trump is giving a live update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Read: Coronavirus: Osceola County expected to issue stay-at-home order

Click here to watch him speak live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.


5:06 p.m. update

President Donald Trump is expected to give a live update on the coronavirus pandemic at 5:30 p.m.


5 p.m. update

Flagler Schools said it was informed by the Florida Department of Health that one of its employees has tested positive for COVID-19


4:43 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Click here to watch him speak live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4.


4:13 p.m.

Osceola County officials have approved a stay-at-home order, beginning at 11 p.m. Thursday and lasting 14 days.

Click here to read what the order entails.

Click here to watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4 live.


4 p.m. update

Do you live in Brevard County? Download the free WFTV news app for live updates on developments there.

You can also text BrevardEOC to 888777 or follow Brevard County Emergency Management and Brevard County Government on Twitter: @BrevardEOC and @BrevardCO_FL for updates.

Residents may also call also call 2-1-1 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for updated information about the coronavirus.

Click here to read more coverage of the virus.


3:38 p.m. update

President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration in Florida, ordering federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic, beginning Jan. 20.

The declaration also makes federal funding available to state, tribal and local governments and some private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures.

Read: Coronavirus: What is in the $2 trillion stimulus bill; the $1,200 check explained

Trump’s declaration also makes federal funding available for crisis counseling for all Florida residents.

Gracia Szczech will oversee federal recovery efforts.


2:38 p.m. update

The city of Orlando said although it has not required vendors of rental scooters and bicycles to cease operations, most of them have done so already.

The city said Lime, Spin, Wheels and Bird have suspended operations, but Lynx City and HOPR remain in operation.


>>> EN ESPAÑOL: ÚLTIMA HORA CORONAVIRUS EN FLORIDA CENTRAL <<<


1:10 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked President Donald Trump to declare Florida a disaster area, saying the coronavirus outbreak is having a “drastic effect” on the state’s economy and medical providers.

His letter to Trump released late Monday says Florida’s hospitals and first responders are facing challenges rarely experienced.

Read: Orange County stay-at-home order: What you can and can’t do

A declaration would make Florida eligible for federal aid. This is no hurricane but DeSantis wrote that the state has already spent $208 million and it’s medical system is already burdened, with limited testing showing more than 1,400 people infected and 17 deaths. Trump has not acted on the request.

Read: Coronavirus testing site in Orange County opens


11:38 a.m. update:

State health officials said there are now 1,682 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Florida and 22 deaths.

Of the cases, 1,583 involve Florida residents and 99 are nonresidents.

Watch the governor’s latest news conference below, and click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of the pandemic on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon.


>>> EN ESPAÑOL: ÚLTIMA HORA CORONAVIRUS EN FLORIDA CENTRAL: DeSantis ofrece conferencia de prensa desde el Condado Orange <<<


11:10 a.m. update:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in Orange County, giving a live update on the coronavirus pandemic.

CLICK HERE to watch him speak live from the State Logistics Response Center.

DeSantis aid the center, which is near South John Young Parkway and Florida’s Turnpike, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help with the state’s response to the virus.



9:35 a.m. update:

Gov. DeSantis is about to provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic in Florida during his visit to Orlando at 10:30 a.m.

>>>Watch his remarks LIVE here<<<


9:17 a.m. update:

Brevard Public Schools has expanded their food distribution sites after feeding nearly 10,000 students on Monday and Tuesday.

You can read more about their March 30 expansion here.

Read: Coronavirus: Find where Central Florida schools are giving free meals to students


7:42 a.m. update:

Osceola County school officials will also hold a press conference at 10 a.m. to provide an update on the coronavirus for students and parents.


4:21 a.m. update:

Gov. Ron DeSantis is slated to provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic during his visit to Orlando Wednesday morning.

Read: Coronavirus: Here’s how to apply for unemployment in Florida

The governor will hold a 10:30 a.m. news conference at the State Logistics Response Center.

You can watch his remarks LIVE here.

The news conference comes after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings issued a stay-at-home order for the entire county for a period of two weeks effective at 11 p.m. Thursday, March 26 until 11 p.m. Thursday, April 9.

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.