Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on September 2
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.
Art Basel Miami Beach has been canceled this year because of COVID-19
3:55 p.m.: The organizers of the annual Art Basel Miami Beach fair, a key cultural and economic event for the region, announced Wednesday they have canceled this year’s edition because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a brief statement, Art Basel officials said they had little choice given the continued uncertainty over the pandemic’s course, international travel restrictions and quarantine regulations across the country and abroad. The fair had been scheduled to take place Dec. 3-6 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Read the story here.
Florida’s COVID cases resume lower trend, with 2,400 new infections, after testing ‘dump’
12:15 p.m.: A day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Quest Diagnostics suddenly unloaded nearly 80,000 test results with some dating back to April, the Florida Department of Health reported numbers that were more in line with late August trends and the fewest deaths since Aug. 7.
On Wednesday, the state confirmed 2,402 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 127 deaths.
The number of non-resident deaths held at 147.
Read the story here.
Florida is increasing testing capacity for #COVID19. Testing sites sponsored by the state of Florida and other entities can be found at https://t.co/oPwhyNNiEG. If you have questions about eligibility or access, the COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 at 1 (866) 779-6121. pic.twitter.com/lQMUCkZLOU
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) September 2, 2020
‘Urgent’ request sent to states in push for coronavirus vaccine delivery
8:45 a.m.: Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sent a letter last week to the nation’s governors with an urgent request. The Trump administration wanted them to do everything in their power to eliminate hurdles for vaccine distribution sites to be fully operational by Nov. 1.
The Aug. 27 letter, obtained by McClatchy, asked governors to fast-track permits and licenses for new distribution sites. “The normal time required to obtain these permits presents a significant barrier to the success of this urgent public health program,” Redfield wrote.
“CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities,” he continued, “and, if necessary, asks that you consider waiving requirements that would prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by November 1, 2020.”
Read the story here.
Quest data dump raises new concerns about whether COVID data is under-reported
8:40 a.m.: For months, Florida officials have used test results as the foundation on which it has built a response to the coronavirus pandemic, but the revelation Tuesday that a lab that has supplied 22% of all of the test results has been withholding results for months has raised new concerns about whether the state has been under-reporting its data.
“It’s rank incompetence on the state and federal level,’’ said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber after the Florida Department of Health announced it had severed ties to Quest Diagnostics because the laboratory violated state law and failed to report nearly 75,000 coronavirus tests. “No national testing program and absurd turnaround times on the state level means we are flying blind.”
Read the story here.
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
8:20 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Wednesday begins.
▪ Gov. Ron DeSantis approves plan allowing nursing home visits, but will facilities go along?
▪ Florida reports 7,569 COVID-19 cases because lab ‘dumped’ months-old tests, DeSantis says.
