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TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Tuesday, May 12

ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates below:

Nota en español: Todo lo que ocurre con la pandemia en Florida Central, 12 mayo

Elective surgeries back in full swing at Orlando Health

10:30 p.m. update

The chief surgical quality officer says so far, things have been going well with the return of all procedures at Orlando Health.

To get to that point, it took a lot of preparation to make sure patients feel safe when returning. See more below:

Orlando’s July 4th fireworks display canceled

6:45 p.m. update

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he has canceled the city’s annual Independence Day fireworks display at Lake Eola Park because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said a virtual fireworks display will be held instead.

“We will still celebrate as a community, just not in person,” Dyer said.

Read: New stimulus bill: House calls for $1,200 per person per household; rent and mortgage assistance



CityWalk to reopen Thursday with limited operations

4 p.m. update

Universal CityWalk will reopen Thursday with limited operations, Universal Orlando announced Tuesday afternoon.

Select venues will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Restaurants that are reopening will have a limited menu.

Face coverings and temperature checks will be required. Floor markings will be placed on the floor to ensure guests are staying six feet apart.

Among the businesses opening are Voodoo Doughnut, the Universal Studios Store and Hollywood Drive-In Golf. Click here to see a full list of businesses that are reopening.

Self-parking will be complimentary. Valet parking is not available.

Blue Man Group, all nightclubs, and Universal Cinemark will remain closed.


Appointments still available for free COVID-19 testing at Orange County mobile sites

3:15 p.m. update

There are still appointments available for free COVID-19 tests over the next three days at Orange County mobile sites, according to the Florida Department of Health.

County residents can secure an appointment for testing by calling the Florida Department of Health in Orange County’s COVID-19 call center at 407-723-5004 Monday through Friday until 5 p.m. Residents can leave a message and staff will contact them.

Here are the testing sites for the rest of the week.

  • Wednesday, May 13, 2020 – Camping World Stadium 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando
  • Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Evans High School 4949 Silver Star Road, Orlando
  • Friday, May 15, 2020 – Prairie Lake Elementary 8723 Hackney Prairie Road, Orlando

The free tests are done by appointment only. Individuals must be at least 18 years old and can walk to the drive-through testing sites. Testing will remain as long as supplies last.

6 more COVID-19 deaths in Central Florida

11:35 a.m. update

Florida health officials reported 44 more COVID-19-related deaths since Monday and 941 additional cases of the virus statewide.

Read: 9 things to know about Florida during the Great Depression

Six of the deaths were reported in Central Florida -- two each in Osceola and Polk counties and one each in Volusia and Sumter counties.

Officials said there have been 41,923 cases of the virus reported in the state and 1,779 deaths.

Read: Drive-in theaters make a comeback in Central Florida amid COVID-19 pandemic

Flagler County has not reported any new cases since Friday, and Sumter County has not reported any additional cases since Sunday.

Click here to see an interactive map of cases statewide, and see the latest local numbers below:

INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida

• Orange: 1,537 (1,512 Monday)

• Seminole: 418 (415 Monday)

• Volusia: 557 (551 Monday)

• Brevard: 346 (330 Monday)

• Osceola: 580 (573 Monday)

• Lake: 246 (243 Monday)

• Marion: 213 (211 Monday)

• Polk: 675 (655 Monday)

• Sumter: 244 (no change since Sunday)

• Flagler: 147 (no change since Friday)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is testifying before a Senate committee on the reopening of the nation’s economy. Click here to watch him speak live.

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.


Seminole County officials to hold COVID-19 virtual briefing

10:21 a.m. update

Officials in Seminole County will hold a virtual chat on Facebook to answer the community’s questions about COVID-19.

The chat will take place at noon.


Another COVID-19 testing site to open in Brevard County

8:50 a.m. update

A drive-through, no-appointment-required COVID-19 testing site will open today at the Eastern Florida State College Palm Bay Campus located on 250 Community College Parkway.

Testing will be available seven days a week for individuals 18 or older and will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Timeline: Coronavirus - May 11


Motorcoach operators depart for Washington in hopes of receiving $15 billion to help industry

7:45 a.m. update

A convoy of independent motorcoach operators in Florida departed from ABC Companies in Winter Garden to join with over 500 others from around the country for a “rolling rally” in Washington, D.C.

The operators will come together for a rally Tuesday to request $15 billion in grants and loans and modifications to Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program to help save the industry from failing, according to a release.

Read: Walt Disney World to begin accepting resort reservations in July


Volunteers to distribute snacks in Parramore

6:38 a.m. update

City Commissioner Regina I. Hill and officials with The Salvation Army of Orlando will be distributing snack boxes to the community as a part of the National Salvation Army Week to help bring relief to families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 701 West Livingston Street.


14 coronavirus-related deaths, including 2 in Central Florida reported

4:25 a.m. update

Florida health officials reported that 14 people have died from COVID-19, including two people in Central Florida, since Sunday.

Numbers show that 386 new cases of the coronavirus have also been reported in the state during the same time frame.

Officials reported that the percentage of positive tests in in the state went down to 7.3% from 7.52% the day prior.

Read: From salons to theme parks and shopping malls: What’s reopening in Central Florida and when?

Data shows there have been 40,982 cases of the virus in the state and 1,735 deaths.

The latest deaths in Central Florida included one person in Volusia County and one in Osceola County.

“Coronavirus

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.