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TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Sunday, April 5

ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates below:

11:05 p.m. update

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s reemployment application system is unavailable until 5 a.m.

“We understand this is an enormous inconvenience, but it is necessary to increase our ability to process the many applications we are receiving,” officials said.

Sen. Linda Stewart said she is offering paper applications at her office.

“We have given away around 200 applications since yesterday. We are going to refill the boxes. Some people are picking up multiple copies. We’re asking people not to take too many copies, but it’s OK if they take a few. My office is planning to keep the boxes filled as much we can," Stewart said.

9:27 p.m. update

The Orlando Police Department said its headquarters and substations lobby doors will remain closed until further notice.

7:10 p.m. update

President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force are giving an update on the global pandemic.


6:23 p.m. update

Marion County officials said two residents, an 88-year-old man and a 58-year-old man, passed away this weekend after testing positive for COVID-19.

They said both were Ocala residents.

These are the first two deaths linked to COVID-19 in Marion County, officials said.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of two members of our community,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the individuals who are no longer with us.”

6:00 p.m. update

The Florida Department of Health reported 3 coronavirus-related deaths since Sunday morning as positive cases in the state reached more than 12,000.

Health officials said there are 12,350 cases in Florida -- 11,961 of which involve residents and 389 of which involved nonresidents.

They said a total of 1,555 people have been hospitalized and 221 people have died so far.

Read: Coronavirus: How to make fabric masks during COVID-19 pandemic

Click here to see a map of cases in the state, and see a county by county breakdown of Central Florida cases below:

• Orange: 713 (689 cases earlier)

• Osceola: 220 (216 cases earlier)

• Seminole: 191 (184 cases earlier)

• Polk: 157 (147 cases earlier)

• Volusia: 151 (143cases earlier)

• Lake: 101 (no change)

• Sumter: 75 (no change)

• Brevard: 79 (77 cases earlier)

• Flagler: 31 (30 cases earlier)

• Marion: 50 (47 cases earlier)

INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida

5:47 p.m. update

A 10th Transportation Security Administration worker at the Orlando International Airport tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

According to TSA, the screening agent last worked March 23 at the west checkpoint from 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

5:40 p.m. update

The Florida d of Economic Opportunity said its reemployment application system will be unavailable Sunday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“We understand this is an enormous inconvenience, but it is necessary to increase our ability to process the many applications we are receiving,” officials said.

4:17 p.m. update

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said there is a very good chance the new coronavirus “will assume a seasonal nature” because it is unlikely the disease will be under control globally.

“Unless we get this globally under control, there’s a very good chance that it will assume a seasonal nature,” Fauci, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation," said Sunday. “We need to be prepared, that since it unlikely would be completely eradicated from the planet, that as we get into (the) next (flu) season, we may see the beginning of a resurgence.”

3:55 p.m. update

Don Walker, Director of Communications in Brevard County, gave an update on drive-thru testing in the county as well as updated case information.

Watch the video below for more information.

3:18 p.m. update

The Florida National Guard said it has 2,093 Guardsmen on state active duty in support of Florida’s COVID-19 response.

Officials said they are operating five community based testing sites and have administered 23,956 sample collections to date.

2:15 p.m. update

Two Florida deputies who died after contracting the coronavirus are being remembered for sacrifice.

Click here to see how their communities are paying tribute to them.

Read: ‘We will never forget your sacrifice’: 2 Florida deputies die from coronavirus

12 p.m. update

The Orange County Corrections Department said two correctional officers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Both officers have self-quarantined and have successfully completed their required 14 days of self-isolation, the agency said.

Officials said no inmates have tested positive for the virus.

Watch live, in-depth coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon.

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.


10:55 a.m. update

The Florida Department of Health reported 23 coronavirus-related deaths since Saturday evening as positive cases in the state reached more than 12,000.

Health officials said there are 12,151 cases in Florida -- 11,764 of which involve residents and 387 of which involved nonresidents.

They said a total of 1,490 people have been hospitalized and 218 people have died so far.

Read: Coronavirus: How to make fabric masks during COVID-19 pandemic

Click here to see a map of cases in the state, and see a county by county breakdown of Central Florida cases below:

• Orange: 689 (657 cases last night)

• Osceola: 220 (216 cases last night)

• Seminole: 184 (178 cases last night)

• Polk: 147 (142 cases last night)

• Volusia: 143 (134 cases last night

• Lake: 101 (95 cases last night)

• Sumter: 75 (73 cases last night)

• Brevard: 77 (72 cases last night)

• Flagler: 30 (29 cases last night )

• Marion: 47 (42 cases last night)

INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida


9:40 a.m. update

Wanting to watch a church service from your home on this Palm Sunday?

We’ve compiled a list of churches streaming their services live. Click here for the directory.

Read: Coronavirus: These Central Florida religious organizations are streaming services online


8:10 a.m. update

The COVID-19 testing center at the Orange County Convention Center will open in less than an hour.

Only those experiencing symptoms, people with preexisting conditions or first responders may be tested at the site.

A federal mandate limits testing to 250 people per day, so health officials recommend arriving at the site two to three hours before its opening at 9 a.m.

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

Results are typically available within seven to eight days.

Another drive-thru testing site will open at 9 a.m. Monday at the University of Central Florida.

The school said 250 people may be tested each weekday at Garage A, but testing is by appointment only.

Read: Coronavirus live updates: NBA, Knicks, Nets help donate 1M surgical masks to New York

Those interested in being tested at that site must first receive a recommendation for testing upon being screened by a health care provider.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday that 102,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Florida, making the state the second in the nation for the number of tests that have been conducted.

Click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.


7:20 a.m. update

Another cruise ship with coronavirus victims on board, including two fatalities, docked in Florida.

Princess Cruises spokeswoman Negin Kamali said in an email Saturday the Coral Princess ship docked in Miami.

Read: Another cruise ship with coronavirus victims docks in Florida

The ship with 1,020 passengers and 878 crew members had been in limbo for days.

As of Thursday, Kamali said seven passengers and five crew members had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Read: What we know about coronavirus: 3 things that have changed

The cruise line said anyone in need of hospitalization will disembark first.

Those fit to fly will begin leaving Sunday, while others who have symptoms of respiratory illness will remain on board until cleared by ship doctors.


5:45 a.m. update

Officials said two Florida law enforcement officers have died from coronavirus as the number of positive cases in the state topped 11,500.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release saying 38-year-old Sgt. Jose Diaz Ayala died Saturday.

He had underlying health conditions. Ayala had been with the department 14 years.

Read: Nurse shares story of FaceTime goodbye between mother, daughter

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said 39-year-old Deputy Shannon Bennett died Friday night from the disease.

Tony said at a news conference Saturday that Bennett was a 12-year veteran of the agency.

There have been at least 195 virus-related deaths in Florida.

Read: TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Saturday, April 4

Click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Click here to read a full wrapup of Saturday’s COVID-19 coverage.

“Coronavirus


Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

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