JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Click here for our new blog with the latest updates on COVID-19. The blog below will no longer be updated.
As of Wednesday evening, 136 cases of the coronavirus have been reported across the First Coast, according to numbers combined from both states' departments of health.
In Northeast Florida, according to Florida Department of Health:
- Baker County -- five cases
- Bradford County -- one case
- Clay County -- 16 cases, two deaths
- Columbia County -- three cases
- Duval County -- 60 cases, three deaths (youngest case is 19 years old)
- Flagler County -- six cases
- Nassau County -- four case
- Putnam County -- five cases
- St. Johns County -- 28 cases, one death (youngest case is 21 years old)
There are a total of 1,977 cases reported in the state of Florida. In total, there have been 23 Florida deaths.
In Southeast Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Health:
- Camden County -- one case
- Charlton County -- one case
- Glynn County -- five cases
- Pierce County -- one case
There are a total of 1,387 cases in the state of Georgia and 47 deaths.
For the latest updates on the virus and its impact on the First Coast, follow this live blog and join our Facebook group, Facts Not Fear: Your Coronavirus Questions Answered.
Links to bookmark:
- List | Schools, events closed or canceled due to coronavirus concerns
- List | Florida universities, colleges move classes online due to coronavirus concerns
- This interactive map shows all reported coronavirus cases in the world
- List: Grocery stores changing hours to stock as customers prep for COVID-19 quarantines
- Florida Department of Health's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard
Wednesday, March 25
4:15 p.m.: Columbia County government offices are closing to the public beginning Thursday, through April 10. County offices will remain operational during normal business hours, but people must contact the various offices by phone for assistance. Click here for contact information.
3:16 p.m.: UNF announced it's closing its residence halls beginning Friday morning, except for students with extenuating circumstances who have approval to remain on campus.
RELATED: UNF closing residence halls as coronavirus response extends remote learning, cancels graduation
2:45 p.m.: Glynn County will close all non-essential business and shuts down all in dining restaurants effective March 26 at 6 a.m. The Glynn County Board of Commissioners passed an Executive Order to close all non-essential business including establishments providing body care that is not supervised under a licensed medical professional (barbering, cosmetology, massage therapy, tattooing, waxing, tanning, nail care), pools regulated by the Department of Health and all indoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment facilities (gyms, fitness classes, arcades, bowling, theaters, music venues). For more information click here.
2:42 p.m.: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida are temporarily postponing dinner service out of respect for Mayor Lenny Curry's direction to stay home and reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus. Organization leaders said they will notify the community as soon as the dinners are able to move forward.
11 a.m. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry again urged all employers to allow their employees to work from home if they are able to perform their duties at home.
Curry also said local hospitals around the First Coast have informed him they are in "good shape" and not at capacity. He encouraged everyone to take care of their mental health by staying busy at home, getting into a routine and calling loved ones to talk about anything by COVID-19.
9 a.m.: First day of the stay-at-home order that was issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday. Florida residents ages 65 and up are urged to stay at home for the next two weeks to protect them from the spread of COVID-19.
8:03 a.m.: Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said Wednesday.
6:37 a..m.: The White House and Congressional leaders reached a deal on a $2 trillion rescue package Wednesday to help working and laid-off Americans, businesses and hospitals. It still faces votes in the House and Senate.
Tuesday, March 24
7:10 p.m.: The Putnam County Board of County Commissioners announced the closure of all county departments to the public with the exception of emergency services and the landfill, effective Wednesday. The county's libraries will also be closed until further notice.
4:14 p.m.: The University of North Florida announced it's extending remote learning to Summer A and C sessions. For more information, click here.
4 p.m. The St. Johns County Emergency Management said announced two testing sites for residents on Tuesday following one confirmed death from COVID-19.
The emergency management held a news conference, saying the county has seen a total of 22 cases, which includes 20 residents and two non-residents. Those who tested positive range from the ages 21 to 76 years of age.
3:15 p.m.: Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis says a health advisory from the state's Surgeon General will encourage Florida residents ages 65 and up to stay at home for the next two weeks to protect them from the spread of COVID-19. The order also applies to residents of all ages with underlying conditions.
1:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said he is ready to enforce an executive order that went into effect Tuesday requiring businesses to allow any employees who are able to perform their job at home to do so.
Any employees who cannot perform their job at home must stay 6 feet away from anyone at any time. Curry said the city could condemn buildings and shut off utilities of any businesses who do not comply with the order, which he said is necessary to help slow the spread of the coronavirus and avoid overwhelming hospitals with patients.
12:20 p.m.: Amazon confirms that one of its employees at it's Jacksonville fulfillment center tested positive a case of COVID-19.
Noon: Camden County executive order requires all restaurants to temporarily discontinue onsite food and beverage consumption. The order remains in effect until noon April 6, or may be terminated in conjunction with the termination of Gov. Kemp's state of emergency. Restaurants with on-premises licenses are temporarily allowed to sell unopened bottles of beer and wine for off-premises consumption, but open container laws within vehicles still apply.
Noon: Gov. Kemp's shelter in place order goes into effect for some residents in Georgia including those in long-term care facilities, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a positive COVID-19 test or are suspected to have COVID-19. As part of the order, all bars and nightclubs within the state will also be forced to close. This order will go into effect at noon Tuesday and expire at noon on Monday, April 6.
11:36 a.m.: St. Johns county reports four more cases of COVID-19 and first death.
8:55 a.m.: IOC President Thomas Bach has agreed “100%” to a proposal of postponing the Tokyo Olympics for about one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday.
8 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said he's expanding an executive order to require any job able to be performed from home, to do so, in order to flatten the curve. This goes into effect at 8 a.m.
Monday, March 23
6 p.m.: In Duval County, a third person has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health. There are now 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, with the youngest patient being 19 years old and the oldest being 91.
5 p.m.: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a shelter in place for those who are most at-risk to COVID-19. Kemp said the executive order will begin Tuesday, March 24 at noon and last for two weeks, ending noon on April 6.
4:45 p.m. DeSantis announces he does not support having a mandatory shelter-in-place order in Florida. Instead, he will issue an executive order for travelers coming to Florida to undergo a mandatory 14-day self-isolation if they are traveling from states heavily affected by the virus, specifically New York and New Jersey.
3:47 p.m. Testing at Lot J ends for the day. The City of Jacksonville says it is limiting to 250 tests a day. It is expected to reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
1:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will give an update on the coronavirus response here in Jacksonville. To watch, click here.
1 p.m.: Officials gathered to give updates regarding coronavirus response in Clay County and Orange Park. So far, there has been one confirmed death as a result of the virus and seven others who had confirmed positive.
The school district says that distance learning will begin for Clay County beginning March 30 for all Clay County students. For those who need an internet-capable device, you can get more information here.
12:20 p.m. Camden County in Georgia reports its first COVID-19 case.
Noon: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a warning to people looking to buy at-home coronavirus test kits.
The agency says they have begun to see an influx of unauthorized fraudulent test kits that are being marketed as to COVID-19. At this time, the FDA has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing yourself at home for COVID-19.
11:45 a.m. The City of Jacksonville announced that a total of 492 tests were given at the Lot J federal testing site as of Monday, 11 a.m. The site opened up at TIAA Bank Field over the weekend.
Lot J is now open to people of all ages, but must have a fever of 99.6 and showing respiratory symptoms to get tested.
10:30 a.m.: On Monday, Florida Governor DeSantis announced a new testing site will be opening at The Villages. Tests will be sent to an additional testing laboratory established at the University of Florida, which will help get results back faster.
Over the weekend, DeSantis says 429 people were tested at the federal testing site established in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Feild.
Officials say field hospitals are being established across Florida, including in Jacksonville, by the National Guard as a precautionary measure but specifics about locations and timing were not released.
10:23 a.m.: All visitation to the Clay County Jail has been canceled until further notice.
8 a.m.: Starting Monday, virtual learning becomes the new normal for Duval County Public Schools students.
7:09 a.m.: Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Emergency Proclamation in Flagler County asking all residents to stay home if at all possible, effective immediately.
5:33 a.m.: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Monday that Japan will require a 14-day quarantine to all visitors from the United States, including the Japanese and Americans, effective Thursday and until the end of April
Sunday, March 22
6:45 p.m.: The number of COVID-19 cases in Florida is at 1,007, according to the Florida Department of Health, with Duval County accounting for the most cases on the First Coast. Duval County has 39 confirmed cases. Seven cases are in Clay County, 16 in St. Johns County, two in Nassau County, two in Putnam County, one in Flagler County, two in Baker County and one in Bradford County.
4 p.m.: Camden County officials announce a voluntary curfew will go into effect Monday, beginning at 8 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. Exceptions will be made for travel to work, medical treatment, fuel, food or medicine pick-up and delivery.
1 p.m.: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Miami Gardens in which he provided an update on the state's response to COVID-19. During the news conference, DeSantis spoke about how the health care system would be handling the influx of positive COVID-19 patients.“We’re at 18,131 available beds statewide,” DeSantis said. “We’re at about 1,700 ICU beds statewide. Thirty-four percent of our hospitals statewide have 50 percent or greater capacity right now.” DeSantis also spoke about a Fort Lauderdale facility that houses seniors, and how their lack of following CDC guidelines led to residents testing positive for COVID-19. "The facility did not follow any of the regulations," DeSantis said. "The construction staff, the food service, the regular staff. They were coming in when they were sick and they were allowed to enter these facilities."
12 p.m.: The Georgia Department of Health announced Glynn County is up to three confirmed cases of COVID-19. Charlton remains at one. The total number of confirmed cases in the state is 600 and 23 deaths have been reported.
11 a.m.: The Florida Department of Health announced a new death due to COVID-19 in Palm Beach County. There have now been 13 deaths due to the coronavirus. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Florida is now 830. There are 768 Florida residents and 62 non-Florida residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Florida.
Saturday, March 21
5:04 p.m.: Nassau County officials announced all Nassau County beaches will close Sunday at 6 a.m. until further notice in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. Anyone on the beach after the closure will be charged with trespassing, which would be a misdemeanor in the second degree.
4:45 p.m.: Fla. Gov. DeSantis gave the latest update on the state's work to combat the spread of COVID-19.
2:41 p.m.: City officials in Fernandina Beach announce the city's beaches will close at 5 p.m. until further notice to combat the spread of COVID-19.
11 a.m.: Long lines awaited families as they sought laptops for virtual schools as parents prepare for children to be taught at home. Schools are closed due to coronavirus.
11:55 a.m.: Clay County officials reported a new case of coronavirus bringing the number in that county to five confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. Those cases included a 66-year-old female, a 57-year-old male, a 55-year-old female, a 70-year-old male, and an 82-year-old male, county health officials say. One of the previous confirmed positive cases died Wednesday. The remaining four cases are and will remain isolated until cleared by the Florida Department of Health. None of the previous Clay County cases have been determined to be travel related. The Department of Health will contact anyone who may have had close contact with positive cases.
2:54 a.m.: A source close to Sawgrass Country Club has informed the First Coast New sports team that a member tested positive for coronavirus. The member golfed and spent time in the lounge at the country club March 14 and March 15. "If you were in the Golf Club Lounge ... you may have been exposed."
Friday, March 20
10:24 p.m.: Putnam County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, a 67-year-old man, according to the Florida Department of Health. The DOH is now working to identify anyone who may have been in contact with the man who might need to self-isolate for 14 days.
7:12 p.m.: The Florida Department of Health released new numbers of infected patients in the state. There are 43 additional COVID-19 cases, including 36 Florida residents and 7 non-residents. That brings the total number to 510 cases in Florida residents and 53 non-residents. Ten people have died.
6:37 p.m.: Camden County's Board of Commissioners issued a public health warning, urging residents to take immediate action to avoid community spread of the coronavirus. They stressed the need for businesses and individuals to recognize that gatherings of 10 or more people are placing the public at risk and to follow CDC guidelines to stop the virus's spread.
6:08 p.m.: Glynn County's Board of Commissioners placed the county under a state of emergency, allowing the board to make decisions suspending ordinances, direct evacuations or curfews, and exercise other functions and powers. So far, no curfews have been put in place.
4:30 p.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that all restaurants would go to take-out and delivery only, but he is allowing them to deliver alcohol with food to help their business. He also called on operators of Senior Living Facilities to take more responsibility with precautions and tests to protect their older residents. After a successful launch of the drive-thru testing site in Broward County, he said they want to continue expanding testing sites, but they are in need of more swabs. Their main focus for testing is on the elderly and the immunocompromised. He said if people who have COVID-19 are not self-isolating he will take measures to contact local law enforcement to enforce isolation to keep the public safe.
2:33 p.m.: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is ordering all restaurants to stop offering dine-in services. They can only do take-out and delivery for the time being. Alcohol sales of sealed containers will be permitted and must be accompanied by a food order. The governor also ordered all gyms and fitness centers in the state to close.
2:01 p.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced the closure of all Duval County beaches, effective at 5 p.m. He also discussed the opening of a new mobile testing site at TIAA Bank Field's Lot J, which will begin testing patients Saturday at 9 a.m.
RELATED: Curry: Duval beaches to close 'indefinitely'; Testing site at TIAA Bank Field opens Saturday;
1:01 p.m.: Clay County Emergency Management is asking the community to stop 'surge buying.' To address all questions and concerns a local call center that is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. You can contact that call center at 877-252-9362.
RELATED: Clay County officials ask community to stop 'surge buying', details new steps to combat COVID-19
11:45 a.m.: White House will host a Coronavirus Task Force press conference.
10:44 a.m.: Income tax filing deadline moved from April 15 to July 15.
10:36 a.m.: Floridians can now text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to find free meals for children under 18 during the current COVID-19 school closures.
10:22 a.m.: JEA will close it's downtown Customer Business Office (CBO), effective Monday, March 23. The office located at 21 W. Church Street will remain closed until further notice.
8:59 a.m.: Flagler County has been notified by the Florida Department of Health that there is a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Flagler County, who is a resident of Volusia County.
8:14 a.m.: California's governor says all 40 million residents should stay at home except for essential jobs, errands and exercise. He says he doesn't expect police enforcement will be necessary.
8 a.m.: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are expected to meet Friday to negotiate a $1 trillion rescue deal.
Thursday, March 19
6:45 p.m.: The Florida Department of Health announced Duval County's first death related to COVID-19. An 83-year-old man who was a resident of Florida died. His case was not travel-related, as he had confirmed contact with another case of the coronavirus, according to the DOH. Forty-two new Florida cases of COVID-19 include 33 Florida residents and 9 non-residents.
5 p.m. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a new drive-thru testing site at Memorial Hospital in Broward County, which he described as the "epicenter" of COVID-19 cases in the state of Florida. Starting Friday, they will begin testing health care workers and senior citizens. They hope to expand the service in the coming days.
1:30 p.m.: Clay County officials addressed their first COVID-19 death -- a man in his 70s. Officials also discussed concerns related to testing.
12:53 p.m.: Federal checks to families could be $3,000 for a family of four under the White House proposal to unleash $1 trillion to shore up households and the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus outbreak.
12:14 p.m.: A second person in Glynn County has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is currently recovering at home and self-isolating, and the source of exposure is unknown.
12 p.m.: The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of Noon, there are 287 confirmed cases of the virus and 10 deaths reported. This is up from 197 confirmed cases that they announced on Wednesday.
10:30 a.m.: Mayor Curry announced a city-sponsored drive-thru testing site will open Friday morning at 11 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center to the public. You can't just show up though. Here's what to know before going.
8 a.m.: The China epicenter of the new coronavirus reported no new cases in 24 hours since the start of the outbreak, however eight deaths were reported in the area.
7:32 a.m.: Old Navy has announced it will close all stores starting Thursday in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Returns for items bought between Jan 1 and March 31 have been extended to July 1. The closures affect all Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, athleta and Hill City stores
Wednesday, March 18
11:50 p.m.: One person tests positive for COVID-19 in Glynn County, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The person is currently recovering at home and the source of the exposure is unknown.
10 p.m.: A Mayport sailor has tested positive for COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, according to a spokesperson for Naval Station Mayport.
The spokesperson released the following statement:
"The Department of Defense has notified public health authorities of the positive test and has taken prudent precautions to ensure the service member is receiving the appropriate care.
This sailor did the right thing and reported immediately to medical personnel. Training was key here and our military personnel have been well trained to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19."
6:06 p.m. Georgia receives SBA Statewide Disaster Declaration. Ga. Gov. Kemp says applications for Small Business Emergency Loans are open. For more information, click here.
4:30 p.m.: Governor DeSantis held a news conference regarding COVID-19 updates. You can watch it below. During the news conference, DeSantis spoke about the implementation of more robust testing capabilities in the state. He said there are 17 sites up and running/ almost up running across Florida.
4 p.m: Duval County Public Schools announced new information about the rollout of its online schooling program Duval Home Room. It is expected to go live on Monday.
2:30 p.m. The first Clay County patient suffering from COVID-19 has died at Ascension St. Vincent's, according to Kyle Sieg, a spokesperson for the hospital.
The patient was a man in his 70s.
This case was one of four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Clay County, according to the Florida Department of Health.
RELATED: Clay County patient dies of COVID-19
11:38 a.m.: The Georgia Department of Health reports a total of 197 cases of COVID-19 are reported in the state.
11:30 a.m.: President Donald Trump has announced that he's invoking a federal provision that allows the government to marshal the private sector in response to the coronavirus pandemic. He also said the Department Housing and Urban Development is providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April.
10:36 a.m.: At least 18 people with direct ties to NAS Jacksonville are being tested for coronavirus, confirmed a spokesperson for NAS Jacksonville Wednesday. None of the cases are presumptive positive, and the Navy is currently waiting on test results to come back. As of Wednesday at 10:36 a.m., they have not had any positive tests come back aboard NAS Jacksonville.
9:45 a.m.: President Trump tweets: "We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!"
5:20 a.m.: Crews begin setting up a testing area near TIAA Bank Feild.
Tuesday, March 17
8:12 p.m.: Georgia Department of Health extends the deadline for EMTs and paramedics to renew their licenses to June 30. Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp says the state currently has 3,396 medics whose licenses would have expired by the end of March.
7:57 p.m.: Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp says 500 test kits have been delivered to the Georgia Department of Health. Kemp says he is working with the Georgia Department of Safety and hopes to have the kits out to public health district offices by Wednesday.
6:46 p.m.: Florida Department of Education announces all public and private K-12, career and technical center campuses will be closed through April 15, 2020.
The department said the following regarding the closure:
- Schools are encouraged to operate virtually or through other non-classroom-based means to continue long-distance learning.
- School districts should be prepared to extend their educational calendars through June 30, 2020.
- For Collier, Duval, Sumter and Union county school districts school campuses will remain closed through April 15, 2020, although they will begin instruction virtually on March 23.
- To support students with identified IEP-related services who may have a disruption in services, school districts are given flexibility for the remainder of the school year to provide alternative services or delay services until later in the summer months, in coordination with a student’s parents and IEP team.
RELATED: All K-12, career, technical school campuses closed until April 15 to combat coronavirus spread
6:18 p.m.: Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis recommends K-12 schools to stay on an extended break until April 15, according to a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education. The department said every two weeks it will reevaluate that recommendation.
5 p.m. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Tallahassee, giving an update on cases of COVID-19 in Florida. He said since the news conference held earlier in the day, there have been 45 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state of Florida. In total, there are 216 cases: 196 Florida residents and 20 non-Floridians. He said there are about 1,042 test results still pending.
One person in an assisted living facility did die from COVID-19. There was another reported death, but it is still being determined if it was related to the coronavirus.
During the news conference, DeSantis addressed some issues regarding education:
- Testing for school readiness voluntary pre-K and K-12 have been canceled for the rest of the school year
- Requirements for graduation will be evaluated as if those assessments may not exist
- Parents can choose to keep their child in the same school year for the 2020-2021 school year
- K-12 grades will not be calculated for 2019-2020; schools in turnaround may continue current status next year to avoid disruption
DeSantis also addressed the requirements for getting tested for COVID-19:
- If you are elderly, 65 or plus, and you have symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of where you've traveled or who you've interacted with
- If you have any underlying health conditions at any age
4:25 p.m.: St. Augustine leaders announced the city's restaurants, bars and nightclubs will start operating at 50 percent capacity and are banned from serving alcohol for the next 30 days in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Other changes include:
- St. Augustine City trolley and tour trains will cease operations for the next 15 days beginning Tuesday at 5 p.m.
- Street metering and meter parking will stop collecting revenue to minimize people having to touch them. Meters will be properly marked Wednesday.
- St. Augustine's visitor information center will be closed, but its bathrooms and its parking garage will remain open
4 p.m.: The University of Georgia football team's annual G-Day scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, April 18, has been officially canceled.
“The Bulldog Nation is fully focused on the health and well-being of everyone,” said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. “By strictly following the guidelines of local, state and federal authorities, together we can defeat the virus! We look forward to returning to the campus activities we enjoy and cherish.”
3:35 p.m.: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp took to social media to update the citizens. He said they've submitted a letter to the SBA to speed funding up from the federal level.
He said they are hoping to have one testing facility in every region of the state within the next 5-7 days. He added that the Georgia Department of Public Health will be up to 200 tests per day by the end of the week.
Kemp also said that GEMA, the National Guard, Georgia State Patrol and others are working to not only secure but also deliver medical supplies.
Kroger’s Atlanta Division, which includes Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina, will temporarily adjust store hours to balance the needs of customers and associates, they announced today. New store hours will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
3 p.m.: During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Jacksonville city leaders confirmed six positive cases in Duval County.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry led the news conference, adding that the city has plans to have at least two additional testing sites in the works for Duval County residents, including one at TIAA Bank Field. He said the goal is to get these testing centers ready by the end of the week and Duval residents have to make an appointment prior.
1:43 p.m.: Fourteen thousand pre-packaged meals are available for pickup at Callahan First Baptist Church 45090 Green Ave., Callahan beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. These meals are available to anyone. If you are unable to come to the church, if you will call 904-879-2172, they will deliver them to you if at all possible.
Target audience is school-aged children, however, no one will be turned away. This will be a drive up distribution - no need to leave your vehicle.
These meals are vacuum packed-high nutrition. Bags are to be dropped in boiling water to cook.
1 p.m.: Florida partners with private laboratories around the state to expand COVID-19 laboratory testing capacity.
12:51 p.m.: 192 Florida residents test positive for COVID-19. Out of those cases, 173 positive cases in Florida residents and 19 positive cases are in non-Florida residents. There are 146 cases in Georgia.
12 p.m.: There are 146 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Health. One of those cases is in Charlton County.
11:30 a.m.: The White House is proposing a roughly $850 bill emergency stimulus to address the economic impact of the new coronavirus, according to sources.
10:30 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Florida State Capitol on Tuesday announcing that all bars and nightclubs are now suspended for 30 days in Florida beginning at 5 p.m. He is also recommending all online learning for Universities for the remainder of the semester.
8:15 a.m: The groups that give both the ACT and SAT exams announced they are putting off their next nationwide examinations. The SAT exam scheduled for May 2 has been canceled, and makeups for the March 14 exam, scheduled for March 28, have also been canceled.
8 a.m.: The Jacksonville Humane Society is waiving adoption fees for the next several days if you help them out by bringing in pet food.
Monday, March 16
8:15 p.m.: The Florida Department of Health reports 142 Florida residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and that one person who tested positive has died in Orange County.
7 p.m.: Woman in St. Johns County tests positive for COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health. Fifth person tests positive for COVID-19 in Duval County.
6:36 p.m.: Ascension St. Vincent's has postponed all elective or non-urgent surgeries. "Because every patient encounter is unique, individual care decisions are made on a case-by-case basis between caregivers and patients. If a provider needs to postpone a procedure or appointment, patients will be appropriately notified," Ascension said in a statement.
5:06 p.m.: St. Vincent's hospitals announce that starting Tuesday at 8 a.m., drive-through testing for COVID-19 will be available at their hospitals.
5 p.m.: Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced TIAA Bank Field parking lots will serve as drive-thru testing site for COVID-19. He also outlined the state's plan to help small businesses impacted financially by the coronavirus. The state will supplement loans from the Small Business Administration to the tune of $50 million in bridge loans.
1:17 p.m.: Florida Department of Health launches new COVID-19 Dashboard, allowing users to track reported coronavirus cases across the state.
12:30 p.m.: The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will shift bus routes to a modified schedule starting on Tuesday for health and safety purposes.
12 p.m.: The Georgia Department of Health reports 121 positive cases of COVID-19 are reported in the state.
11:30 a.m.: Mayor Lenny Curry announced new limits and restrictions on restaurants and bars in Jacksonville until further notice. No more than 50 people will be permitted in any establishment, following CDC recommendations. Curry says this includes churches, large restaurants and others with a maximum capacity above 50. Also, all alcohol sales are banned from midnight to 8 a.m.
RELATED: Jacksonville Mayor limits gatherings to 50 people, restricts alcohol sales amid coronavirus concerns
10:49 a.m.: Criminal cases are being disrupted in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus on the First Coast. Chief Judge Mark Mahon announced Sunday last night that all felony cases in Judicial District 4 – which includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties – will be passed until March 30.
RELATED: Criminal cases in Clay, Duval and Nassau being delayed in effort to stop spread of COVID-19
9 a.m.: Georgia Department of Drivers Services urges people to use the department's online services at dds.georgia.gov or the "DDS 2 GO" app to conduct their licensing business and not visit in person during the state's public health emergency.
8 a.m.: Wall Street futures trading was halted after markets plunged 5% Sunday after the Fed slashed interest rates.
7:52 a.m.: A clinical trial for a vaccine to protect against the new coronavirus begins Monday, but it will still be at least a year to validate a potential vaccine.
6:30 a.m.: Starbucks announces customers can only get their orders "to go" for at least two weeks to increase social distancing.
12 a.m.: The Florida Department of Health reports the number of Florida residents infected with COVID-19 is at 137.