Orange County

Timeline: Coronavirus updates March 18

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An economic relief bill signed Wednesday by President Donald Trump ensures free COVID-19 testing, strengthens unemployment insurance, increases spending on health insurance for the poor, and adds $1 billion in food aid.

The agreement also includes paid sick days for some employees, as well as three months of paid emergency leave during the crisis. Businesses would be paid back for some of those costs through tax credits. Big businesses with more than 500 employees cannot offer their employees paid sick leave or family leave under the bill.

See our in-depth coverage from Wednesday night below:

11 p.m. update

Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy has announced she is self-quarantining herself after being exposed to another member of Congress who tested positive for COVID-19, she tweeted late Wednesday night.

8:30 p.m. update

President Trump has signed the coronavirus relief package.

The bill includes help with unemployment, paid family leave, more funding for SNAP programs and free COVID-19 testing.

7:30 p.m. update

Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart announced Wednesday on Twitter that he has tested for positive for coronavirus.

He is the first member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19.

Diaz-Balart said he decided to self-quarantine in Washington, D.C. on Friday and not return to South Florida, due to his wife’s preexisting condition. On Saturday, he developed symptoms including a fever and headache. On Wednesday, Diaz-Balart said he was notified that he had tested positive.

“I’m feeling much better. However, it’s important that everyone take this seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick, and mitigate the spread of this virus,” Diaz-Balart tweeted. “We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times.”


6:30 p.m. update

The latest update from the Florida Department of Health reports that there have been two more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County and one new case in Brevard County since Wednesday morning.

The total number of cases in the state is now at 328, which is up from 314 Wednesday morning. Eight people with the virus have died in the state so far.

NEW CASES:

  • Orange: 11 (up from 9)
  • Brevard: 2 (up from 1)

NO CHANGE:

  • Volusia: 9
  • Osceola: 8
  • Seminole: 7
  • Lake: 2
  • Sumter: 1
  • Flagler: 0
  • Marion: 0

5:40 p.m. update

Simon Property Group announced Wednesday that it will close all of its retail properties, including malls and premium outlets in the U.S., which includes the Florida Mall, Orlando International Premium Outlets, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and Orlando Outlet Marketplace.

The closure will take effect 7 p.m. Wednesday through March 29.

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.

4:45 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis is providing an update on the spread of the coronavirus in Florida.

4:30 p.m. update

Orange County officials said local hospitals can be overwhelmed by people going to the emergency room unnecessarily. They urge residents only go to the ER if they are experiencing severe symptoms.

4:20 p.m. update

Dr. Raul Pino with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County said it will have a regional testing site for COVID-19 at the Orange County Convention Center operational in the next 48 hours. He said deliverables are getting into place and will be managed by the National Guard.

Pino said a smaller scale testing site in the Alafaya Trail area is also set to open with appointments for people who qualify to be tested.

4:15 p.m. update

There are currently nine cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, Mayor Jerry Demings said.

4:10 p.m. update

Orange County officials are providing an update on the impact of the coronavirus in the county.

>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE LIVE<<<

4 p.m. update

The Hyatt Regency Orlando on International Drive announced Wednesday that it will be closed starting Thursday through May 3.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues is always a top priority. In light of COVID-19, the hotel has temporarily ceased normal operations and is not currently accepting room, restaurant, bar, or other reservations for stays before March 19, 2020 to May 3, 2020. For inquiries, please contact the hotel directly,” the hotel says in a statement on their website.

3:55 p.m. update

Orange County is scheduled to host a news conference at 4 p.m. Watch Channel 9 to tune in live.

3:40 p.m. update

Sen. Marco Rubio is providing an update on the spread of the coronavirus in Florida.

>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE LIVE <<<

3:12 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding a press conference Wednesday afternoon regarding COVID-19.

DeSantis is expected to speak at 4:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. update

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority held a meeting to discuss how the coronavirus is impacting Central Florida.

Phil Brown, of the Orlando International Airport, said he is working with Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio on a bill that would bring $10 billion to airports in the country.

During the meeting, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said some hotels on International Drive will be closing until the end of April or mid-May, but he didn’t specify which hotels were closing.

1:30 p.m. update

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he is working with the Florida Sheriff’s Association on emergency testing for any first responder who believes they came in contact with coroanvrius.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has also increased the number of light-duty deputies.

1:12 p.m. update

Officials in Brevard County said they are closing all beachside public parking, including access points county and municipal parking areas and parking garages along the 72-mile Brevard County shoreline beginning Thursday.

Officials released the following statement:

“Spring breakers and other beachgoers are being asked to avoid beach areas as a public safety measure in response to the spread of coronavirus and in compliance with mass gathering recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has advised people to avoid mass gatherings of more than 10 people, and recommends social distancing of 6 feet.”

Beachside public parking access areas will remain closed until further notice.

1 p.m. update

The Diocese of Orlando said within the state of Florida, effective at the end of day Wednesday, regularly scheduled celebration of Masses and other liturgical events in parish churches and other public sanctuaries are suspended until further notice.

They said visitation to the churches to pray is also suspended and any parish event or ministry event – e.g. prayer groups, bible studies, etc. – are suspended or postponed.

12:30 p.m. update

Vice President Mike Pence said the federal government is calling on all hospitals in the U.S. to postpone elective surgeries.

12:25 p.m. update

White House officials said there are concerning reports about millennials getting COVID-19 in Italy and France. The White House is continuing to urge no large gatherings among any age groups.

12:22 p.m. update

Vice President Mike Pence said all medical professionals will be allowed to practice across state lines to provide assistance where needed.

12:15 p.m. update

President Donald Trump said the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is suspending evictions and foreclosures until the end of April.

12:10 p.m. update

President Donald Trump is providing an update on addressing the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.

He said he is invoking the Defense Production Act and that Federal Emergency Management Agency is activated at level 1, which is the highest level.

Watch Channel 9 NOW to tune in LIVE.

11:35 a.m. update

The Florida Department of Health is reporting that there are now more than 300 cases of the coronavirus in the state.

That includes one new case in Lake County, three new cases in Seminole County and three new cases in Orange County. See the breakdown county-by-county below:

  • Orange: 9 (6 yesterday)
  • Volusia: 9 (no change)
  • Osceola: 8 (7 yesterday)
  • Seminole: 7 (4 yesterday)
  • Lake: 2 (1 yesterday)
  • Brevard: 1 (no change)

INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida

10:26 a.m. update

The onePULSE Foundation has canceled its planned public meetings on Saturday, March 28, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Community members are invited to continue to view the public presentation online and submit written feedback through March 31. Click here to view the presentation and provide feedback.

10:20 a.m. update

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is working with OneBlood to support the Central Florida community by making available a blood donation site at the Orange County Administration Center.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Big Red Bus will be in the visitor parking lot for blood donations.

READ: Coronavirus: How you can help during pandemic

10 a.m. update

Seminole County Public Schools is asking for non-perishable food donations to stock its food pantries to help keep students and their families fed while school is out. Find out how you can donate below:

READ: Students won’t return to school until April 15, statewide testing canceled, governor announces

9:32 a.m. update

A Holly Hill distillery is offering free hand sanitizer for those in need.

Copper Bottom Craft Distillery will use their alcohol as a base for the sanitizer with no charge for guests.

4:33 a.m. update

Beginning March 23, officials with the Orange County Public Schools are providing free meals to provide relief for students amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Students can pick up free meals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the car loop of their school. A student must be present to receive the meal.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Learning resources for kids home from school

This comes after Gov. DeSantis ordered schools not to resume class until April 15.

For additional information on your school’s distribution point, click here.

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.

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.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

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