Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on July 3
We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state. Check back for updates throughout the day.
Makeshift beaches spring up as Miami prepares for beach-less July 4
6 p.m.: The mini American flags wedged in the windows of Noel Oramas’ truck fluttered in the wind off the Julia Tuttle Causeway on Friday, as cars zipped across the highway that has doubled as an alternative to closed beaches for some residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Oramas, sipped a Modelo beer mixed with Clamato juice as he looked out at Biscayne Bay, said he had planned to spend the Fourth of July weekend at the beach. He said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s decision to close beaches over the long weekend was misguided, when places like restaurants and barbershops — which pose a greater risk of transmission — remain open.
“It’s wrong to close the beaches when there are more dangerous places to catch coronavirus,” he said.
Miami Heat closes facility for workouts after second player tests positive for COVID-19
4 p.m.: With a second Miami Heat player recently testing positive for COVID-19, the team closed its AmericanAirlines Arena practice facility for individual workouts and will not practice again until it arrives at Walt Disney World next week, a league source confirmed to the Miami Herald on Friday afternoon.
The Herald is not reporting the identity of the player because he has not authorized the release of his name. The player is in quarantine and still expects to participate in the resumption of the 2019-20 season.
Read the full story here.
Zoo Miami had big plans for this weekend. Instead, state COVID surge closes it indefinitely
2:50 p.m.: This was supposed to be a festive weekend for Zoo Miami but Florida’s skyrocketing coronavirus cases and mounting death toll has meant some fast changes have had to be implemented.
So Zoo Miami in Kendall, along with several other Miami-Dade park attractions like Jungle Island, will be closed until further notice on the orders of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
“These are challenging times indeed,” said Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s communications director.
Read the full story here.
Florida shy of single day record, but adds nearly 9,500 new COVID-19 cases and 67 deaths
12:45 p.m.: Florida’s Department of Health on Friday confirmed 9,448 additional cases of COVID-19, falling shy of Thursday’s record-breaking 10,109 single-day record. The state’s total confirmed cases hit 178,594.
For the second consecutive day, there were also 67 new deaths announced Friday, bringing the statewide death toll to hit 3,684. The statewide non-resident death total remains at 101.
The figure is the state’s third highest single-day count since the crisis began.
Read the full story here.
Florida representatives draft letter to governor urging mask action
12:25 p.m.: Ten Florida Democrat representatives drafted and sent a letter Friday morning to Gov. Ron DeSantis to urge him to immediately implement a statewide mask mandate as COVID-19 cases skyrocket in the state.
Thursday set a record of newly confirmed positives of more than 10,100 cases. Friday’s 9,448 was the third highest single-day figure in Florida.
“This is not a partisan issue; this is an issue of life and death,” the 10 state reps wrote to the Republican governor. “As lawmakers, there are many times that we must take difficult votes that aren’t popular but are the right thing to do. In watching the devastation that COVID-19 is causing in our communities we strongly recommend that the State of Florida implement a mandatory use of face covering over the nose and mouth while in a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces, whenever social distancing is not possible. This small but important gesture will have big consequences for the greater good.”
Signing the letter: Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, Rep. Shevrin Jones (who is battling the coronavirus and whose district includes southeastern Broward County), Rep. Carlos G. Smith, Rep. Cindy Polo (whose district includes Northwest Miami-Dade), Rep. Ben Diamond, Rep. Adam Hattersley, Rep. Fentrice Driskell, Rep. Amy Mercado, Rep. Dan Daley (a former vice mayor of Coral Springs) and Rep. Javier Fernandez of South Miami.
Jungle Island to temporarily close again due to county’s emergency order
11:45 a.m.: On Friday, a spokeswoman for Jungle Island said the park attraction would immediately close again until further notice in order to assist the county’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The park had just recently re-opened on June 25th following approval by the county.
“We are disappointed to have to temporarily close Jungle Island again. We went to great lengths to provide a safe, fun environment for our returning guests,” said Curtis Crider, Jungle Island’s president and managing director. “But if we have learned anything through this experience, it is that we are resilient. We want to thank our fans and employees for their overwhelming support over the last few months, which further demonstrates just how beloved Jungle Island is in our community. We hope everyone stays safe.”
Can you visit Florida beaches for the 4th of July? It depends on how far you want to travel
9:50 a.m.: South Florida’s Fourth of July holiday festivities this year will include masks, social distancing and virtual fireworks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But not beaches.
If you’re looking to celebrate the Fourth sunbathing on the sand with a piña colada in your hand, you’ll have to take a road trip up north. South Florida beaches are closing for the holiday weekend because of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.
Late-night celebrations will also be limited.
Read the full story here.
New food distribution site
9:30 a.m.: Hands of God, in partnership with Seed of Hope Ministries, is hosting a drive-thru food distribution starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11. This program will run every Saturday for seven weeks until August 22.
Pick up via car is at The Way Miami Church, 14105 SW 184th St., Miami. The food will be shared on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.
Do I have to wear a face mask at the drive-thru and other questions amid new COVID rules
8:30 a.m.: As Florida had its worst numbers to date Thursday with new coronavirus cases — more than 10,100 — South Florida mayors have issued new emergency orders requiring facial coverings be worn in most public places. That includes outdoors almost all the time in Miami-Dade, where the infection rate is the highest in the state — even when you are able to stay six feet away from someone else.
But what does this mean exactly in Miami-Dade, Broward and the Florida Keys?
Do you have to wear a mask to order and pickup at the drive-thru? To get your mail? To pick up your Instacart order? To protest?
Here are some answers.
Read the full story here.
‘OSHA is AWOL’: Critics say federal agency is where workplace COVID-19 complaints go to die
8:20 a.m.: The complaints have poured in from Florida work sites since the start of the pandemic.
From a Miami prison where staff allegedly weren’t provided proper protective equipment. From a whistleblower at a Panhandle plasma donation center where employees who were visibly sick and awaiting COVID-19 test results allegedly still came into work. From a hospital where nurses treating a patient allegedly weren’t told the patient was COVID-positive.
The complaints go to the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which dutifully maintains a list of the alleged infractions. But it’s unclear how much action is being taken.
Read the full story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
8:15 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Friday begins.
▪ Miami boy, 11, is youngest Florida victim of COVID-19. He beat other illnesses but not this one.
▪ Florida reports more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases, breaking another single-day record.
▪ State reopens shuttered Miami hospital for COVID-only patients, boosts lease $300,000.
