Florida Marks 1000th COVID-19 Case
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida is marking a grim coronavirus milestone. The Florida Department of Health announced last night that the state now has over a thousand COVID-19 cases. The state has one-thousand-seven cases, and 13 deaths. Test results are pending for another 933 people.
South Florida Remains Epicenter
(Tallahassee, FL) -- South Florida is the epicenter of the coronavirus in Florida, and one city, in particular, stands out. A city-by-city report was released yesterday by the Florida Department of Health, and it shows Miami has, by far, the most cases with 125 patients. Hollywood in Broward County is a distant second with 44, and Fort Lauderdale has 39. All told, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have over half of all cases in the state, but they have only four deaths combined.
Fourth TSA Worker At OIA Tests Positive
(Orlando, FL) -- The TSA is reporting another infected agent at Orlando International Airport. This makes four TSA workers at the airport to test positive. The TSA says the screening officer last worked March 16th at the East Checkpoint between 4:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Brevard County Reports 7th Coronavirus Case
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The coronavirus appears to be sparing Brevard County, for the most part. As of last night, the Florida Department of Health has reported only seven COVID-19 cases in the county and zero deaths. Test results are pending on one more person. Four of the seven cases are travel-related.
Volusia County Reports 14th Coronavirus Case
(DeLand, FL) -- Recent travel is believed to be the cause of the newest coronavirus cases in Volusia County. The Florida Department of Health reported last night that the county now has two more COVID-19 cases, which brings the total to 14. The latest patients are a 66-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man, who both recently traveled to Ireland. Nine of the county's 14 cases are travel-related.
Palm Beach County Bans Recreational Boating
(Miami, FL) -- Those tired of being cooped up now have fewer options in South Florida. Palm Beach County yesterday announced a ban on recreational boating. This comes the day after Miami-Dade County ordered the immediate closure of all boat ramps in county parks and marinas, but an exception was made for commercial fish catchers. Also, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming announced yesterday its casino in Miami-Dade is now closed.
Broward County Closes Non-Essential Businesses
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Broward County is taking what its mayor calls incredibly painful steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus. All non-essential businesses are now closed, as of 12:01 this morning. Businesses considered essential include those in healthcare, those that sell food and those that provide social services. Mayor Dale Holness said last night as devastating as this action is, the potential impacts of COVID-19 are much worse.
Field Hospitals Being Set Up In South Florida
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Work is underway to prepare South Florida for a flood of coronavirus patients. Field hospitals are being set up in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, including one in Fort Lauderdale on Commercial Drive. They'll be able to treat 250 people, but there's no word on when they'll open. Governor Ron DeSantis says talks are also underway to use six vacant medical facilities if the need arises.
Tampa Bay Pastor Hopes Pandemic Leads To Something Good
(Dade City, FL) -- A Pasco County pastor believes something good can come from the pandemic. Randy Huckabee is the pastor at First Baptist Dade City, and yesterday, he gave his first sermon to an empty church after all worship places were ordered to close. The services that normally attracted about 400 people in person are now available online, and his first online-only service last week drew 900 viewers. The 64-year-old tells the Tampa Bay Times God is rocking our world, and he hopes these times will lead people to discover that faith is what really matters.
Suspect Shot In Orange County Jail Hostage Incident
(Orlando, FL) -- A suspect is in the hospital after getting shot during a hostage incident at the Orange County jail. Yesterday, deputies and Orlando Police officers responded when the suspect took hostages at the intake area of the Orange County jail. Sheriff John Mina says the suspect was one of two arrested on marijuana charges. It is not yet known how the suspect got into the jail with a firearm. Sheriff Mina says the suspect is expected to survive the gunshot wound.
Baby Born In Toilet Paper Aisle Doing Well
(Springfield, MO) -- A baby born in a toilet paper aisle last week is doing well. A woman gave birth Missouri Walmart after her water broke while shopping on Wednesday. A labor nurse who was near by helped as other customers blocked off the aisle. The store's manager Jessica Hinkle says once firefighters arrived and the baby was born, customers cheered as the new mom and baby were taken out of the store on a gurney. The baby and mother were doing well when Hinkle spoke to the mom on Thursday.
Sex Doll Companies Using Coronavirus-Inspired Advertisements
(Undated) -- Sex dolls companies are trying to cash in on the coronavirus pandemic. In an Instagram post, RealDolls maker Abyss said their "naturally antibacterial and nonporous" products are perfect for self-isolation. Sex doll producer Silicon Wives also posted a free doll giveaway on their website, saying the products are perfect to help in a quarantine. Near the end of last year, the New York Post reported that sex doll sales were already on the rise, especially for male dolls.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a bathroom bill that restricts legal protections for LGBT citizens into law.
2004, an independent commission investigating the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States opened a hearing in Washington DC featuring testimony from key figures from the White House administrations under President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton.
1983, President Ronald Reagan first proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative. This technology to intercept enemy missiles became known as "Star Wars."
1929, the first telephone was installed in the White House.
1775, Patrick Henry made his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech to the Virginia Provincial Convention.