Expand / Collapse search
☰

Florida reports 8 more COVID-19 deaths, over 2,400 new cases

Updated  September 14, 2020 7:08am EDT
Coronavirus
FOX 35 Orlando
article

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health on Sunday reported 2,423 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths.

The statewide case total since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is now at 663,994, resulting in 12,608 deaths.

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced on Thursday that bars across Florida will be permitted to reopen on Monday, Sept. 14, at 50 percent occupancy. They were shutdown in June after a spike in COVID-19 cases statewide, with many tracing back to residents visiting bars.

RELATED: Interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Florida 

If you are having trouble seeing the map or using it (especially on a mobile device), click here to load in a new window.

Phase two of Florida's reopening is ongoing. The following is in effect:

  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan allows for restaurants to operate with 50 percent indoor seating capacity and full capacity outdoors with appropriate social distancing. Restaurants can also allow for bar-top seating.
  • Bars, pubs, and taverns can reopen starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday with 50 percent capacity. Governor DeSantis is also looking at easing other coronavirus restrictions at restaurants and bars, like capacity limits and how far tables will be seated.
  • Retail stores can currently operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols. Many chains have included social distancing signage, sanitizing stations, and limited hours in their new safety measures.
  • Amusement parks have reopened in Florida as well, all with limited capacity and enhanced safety measures to protect both park guests and employees.
  • Gyms can operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization.
  • Movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, and arcades can operate at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols, according to the 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan.
  • Barbershops, hair salons, and nail salons may operate with appropriate safety protocols.
  • Governor DeSantis is allowing some visitors at Florida nursing homes and long-term care facilities. General visitation is allowed as long the residence has gone 14 days without any new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff. Then, visitors will be required to socially distance from the residents. Facilities are allowed to ask guests to take a COVID-19 test.
  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan also allows for professional sports venues to open and continue operating for games, events, competitions, and training. 
  • Both museums and libraries can operate at full capacity, the  'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan states.
  • Elective surgeries can be conducted at hospitals with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols, the plan states.

RELATED: Bars can reopen at 50 percent capacity in Florida starting Monday

Some rides to board every row at Universal

Universal is changing some social distancing rules on rides in hopes of speeding up lines.

Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose or mouth. 

As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment, but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have.

Enhanced COVID-19 screening ending at U.S. airports

International travelers will no longer be screened for COVID-19 when entering the United States. International traffic at Orlando International Airport dropped by 98 percent during the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED: Harmony Middle School set to reopen Monday after closing due to COVID-19

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be. If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

Teams to monitor social distancing at Orange County bars

Teams have been hard at work monitoring social distancing guidelines in Orange County. With bars reopening statewide at half capacity on Monday, officials said they will step up efforts to track those businesses.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

RELATED: Police: Elderly man beaten in Winter Park over social distancing request

Globally, there have been over 28.7 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 920,000 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

Below is an interactive John Hopkins University dashboard, showing a country-by-country breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases across the world.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to view the interactive John Hopkins University dashboard

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest coronavirus news.