JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This live blog is no longer being updated, click here for our new live blog for the latest updates on COVID-19 on the First Coast.
As of Wednesday, 36 people have died due to COVID-19 and 1,093 cases of the coronavirus have been reported across the First Coast, according to numbers combined from both Georgia and Florida's departments of health.
However, the number of new COVID-19 cases being reported in Florida trended downward over the weekend for the first time since early March.
In Northeast Florida, here are the latest numbers according to the Florida Department of Health:
- Baker County -- 15 cases, one death
- Bradford County -- 15 cases
- Clay County -- 99 cases, seven deaths
- Columbia County -- 16 cases
- Duval County -- 557 cases, 10 deaths
- Flagler County -- 36 cases, one death
- Nassau County -- 29 cases
- Putnam County -- 24 cases, one death
- St. Johns County -- 156 cases, two deaths
- Union County -- two cases
There are a total of 15,698 cases reported in the state of Florida. In total, there have been 323 Florida deaths.
In Southeast Georgia, here are the latest numbers according to the Georgia Department of Health:
- Brantley County -- Five cases, one death
- Camden County -- 19 cases
- Charlton County -- three cases
- Glynn County -- 32 cases
- Pierce County -- 39 cases, one death
- Ware -- 43 cases, three deaths
There are a total of 10,189 cases in the state of Georgia and 369 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, April 8
4 p.m.: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp extended the statewide stay-at-home order until April 30 during a briefing on Wednesday at the State Capitol.
It was originally set to expire on April 13.
He also suspended all short-term vacation rentals in Georgia. State parks and beaches remain open, despite citizens and commissioners urging him to shut them down.
RELATED: Gov. Kemp extends shelter-in-place order until April 30, suspends short-term vacation rentals
1:15 p.m.: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave an update on the state's COVID-19 response. DeSantis said 47 percent of hospital beds are still available for COVID-19 patients. “We have capacity at the hospitals we don’t know what a surge may bring but we have to prepare for that,” he said.
10 a.m.: As Georgia prepares to see a surge of coronavirus patients in the coming weeks, Gov. Brian Kemp is extending his public health emergency declaration to May 13.
It was announced on March 13 and set to expire on April 13, so this extension adds another month. He's expected to have a press conference at 4 p.m.
8 a.m.: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changing its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus to return to work if they are asymptomatic.
Tuesday, April 7
4 p.m.: Baptist Health Jacksonville announced that the hospital has several positions open for various medical personnel and is currently accepting applications.
RELATED: Baptist Health Jacksonville hiring registered nurses, therapists, pharmacists amid COVID-19 pandemic
1 p.m.: Two employees at Orange Park Kindergarten, 3050 Moody Ave., reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, according to the school's director.
12:52 p.m.: St. Johns County Commissioners did not vote on the issue of whether to reopen beaches at their meeting Tuesday, agreeing that making that decision at this point would be too risky for residents.
RELATED: St. Johns County commissioners choose to keep beaches closed following meeting discussing re-opening
11:30 a.m.: Mayor Lenny Curry and emergency management team leaders provided a brief update regarding the city's response to COVID-19 Tuesday.
Curry continued to emphasize the importance of washing hands, maintaining a social distance of 6-feet and wearing facemasks while in public. Curry was asked about the push to reopen the beaches for exercise purposes only.
"Every day I assess, we assess, the orders we put in place and ask if this is still relevant. ... we evaluate this every day," said Curry. "I don't foresee beaches reopening this week."
He also signed an ordinance into law that would allow for small businesses access to loans to help retain employees and soften losses. Read more about that below.
RELATED: Jacksonville mayor signs ordinance to help small businesses, says beaches will remain closed
7:10 a.m.: Kroger says it will begin limiting how many customers can come into its stores starting Tuesday to promote social distancing. The stores will allow no more than half of the building's calculated capacity at any one time.
7 a.m.: The United States has 368,196 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been 10,986 deaths and 19,828 recoveries.
Monday, April 6
1 p.m.: Clay County leaders say residents should be prepared for another six to eight weeks of physical distancing under the governor's safer-at-home order at a unified command press conference. The county's emergency management director said there are now 79 cases with six deaths in the county.
10:30 a.m. Responding to a chorus of complaints about the state’s unemployment system failures, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he had issued an “all hands on deck" approach to fixing it.”
Calling the existing system “just totally unacceptable,” he announced the state was mobilizing up to 2,500 state employees to process unemployment claims and training 700 new employees to staff the state’s call center. He also said state workers have brought new computer servers online to bolster system capacity.
8 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry drew largely favorable reviews while President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis drew more mixed responses in a University of North Florida poll gauging reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.
6:10 a.m.: The Florida Department of Health is making it easier for people to track the number of coronavirus cases in our state by breaking down the number of cases down by ZIP code.
5:45 a.m.: The US now has more than 337,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 9,600 deaths.
Sunday, April 5
6 p.m.: Nassau County has suspended meal delivery for students during the coronavirus pandemic.
12:09 p.m.: JU Graduate student tests positive for COVID-19
Saturday, April 4
5:27 p.m.: Lake City Police Department confirms an officer has tested positive for COVID-19.
3:48 p.m.: The Florida Department of Healths says Florida is second in the nation for the number of people tested for COVID-19. As of Saturday, 102,108 people in Florida have been tested.
1:37 p.m.: Mayor Curry says Jacksonville is trending below other metropolitan areas with the amount of COVID-19 positive cases.
1:26 p.m.: Georgia Gov. Kemp checks in on the status of beaches after they are reopened for exercise purposes due to executive order.
8:38 a.m.: Detours are in place for those traveling to Lot J for COVID-19 testing due to Harts Bridge Ramp construction
8:12 a.m.: Broward County Sheriff's Office announces the death of one of its deputies due to COVID-19.
Friday, April 3
6 p.m.: The Glynn County Board of Commissioners has reopened all beaches in the county for exercise only under Gov. Brian Kemp's shelter-in-place orders. Chairs, umbrellas and tents are not permitted.
10:35 a.m.: Starting Monday, JTA will offer free bus rides to healthcare professionals during the community’s collective response to the coronavirus pandemic.
9:41 a.m.: The White House says it is prepared to launch a $350 billion lending program on Friday that is intended to help struggling small businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus catastrophe.
7:38 a.m.: The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 passed 6,000 early Friday morning, an increase of approximately 2,000 in the span of about 48 hours. That's according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University. More than 1/4 of those are in New York City.
6:07 a.m.: The Bradford County School District is changing its meal schedule. Breakfast and lunch will only be provided Mondays and Thursdays starting the week of April 6.
Thursday, April 2
4:30 p.m. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued two new executive orders. The first order deploys agencies and state government employees to assist with the unemployment claims operations and the second order requires mortgage foreclosures and eviction releases to be extended for another 45-day suspension.
1 p.m.: Clay County officials expect that the number of people testing positive in Clay will continue to rise over the course of the next 8 to 10 weeks.
In a news conference, they said all end of the year school activities have been canceled, including prom, but the district has not totally ruled out the idea of having graduation.
12:06 p..m.: Overnight, there have been four new deaths on the First Coast connected to the virus. There has also been a 5-year-old child that has tested positive for COVID-19 in Duval County.
12 p.m.: Mayor Lenny Curry hosted a press conference regarding the new 'safer-at-home' order. Please be patient as we work to provide updates.
10:07 a.m.: For the first time in the United States, autonomous vehicles are being used to transport medical supplies and COVID-19 tests at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
9 a.m.: More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, far exceeding a record high.
8:58 a.m.: On Friday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., each Daily's Dash location will provide 100 free care packages to assist customers adversely impacted by the crisis.
RELATED: Free care packages with bread, deli meat and more to be given out at Daily's locations Friday
8:33 a.m.: Less than 100 of the nearly 5,000 sailors assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, now docked in Guam, have tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly 3,000 sailors aboard will be taken off the ship by Friday, Navy officials said
6:50 a.m.: The U.S. death toll passed 5,000 late Wednesday night, less than 24 hours after passing the 4,000 mark. Total worldwide cases were likely to reach 1 million Thursday.
Wednesday, April 1
4 p.m.: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he plans to sign two orders. The first will require all residents to shelter-in-place from Friday, April 3 through April 13. He also will sign an order closing all K-12 public schools through the end of the year.
Essential businesses, he said, will remain open and that the order will be presented to the public on Thursday.
RELATED: LIVE | Gov. Kemp to sign shelter-in-place order, will close K-12 schools through end of year
2 p.m.: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide "safer-at-home order" effective starting Friday morning.
10:15 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry ordered all non-essential business in Duval County starting Friday morning.
9:51 a.m.: A new grant program sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is offering $500 to restaurant industry employees impacted by COVID-19.
5:58 a.m.: The U.S. is on pace to pass 200,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, five days after passing 100,000 cases. The U.S. passed 4,000 deaths Wednesday morning.
Tuesday, March 31
4:21 p.m.: Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden said on Tuesday that the over 100 Georgia National Guardsmen will be activated and deployed to any long-term care facility, assisted living facility or nursing home with COVID-19 cases.
The troops will be sent to specific locations to implement infection control protocols and enhanced sanitation methods to mitigate COVID-19 exposure among vulnerable residents.
"Georgia's top priority is increasing healthcare capacity to protect vulnerable Georgians, especially those residing in long-term care facilities," Kemp said. "If we can keep these populations as healthy as possible, we will be able to conserve precious medical supplies and hospital bed space in the coming days and weeks."
Twenty soldiers are headed to Pelham, Ga., on Tuesday, to Pelham Parkway Nursing Home to audit existing sanitation methods, train staff on utilizing more aggressive infectious disease control and thoroughly clean the facility.
2:21 p.m.: Glynn County's Board of Commissioners extended all previous actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through April 30, including the closures of beaches, businesses that provide body care that are not supervised under a licensed medical professional, pools, and indoor recreation, fitness and entertainment facilities. It also extended restrictions on restaurants' dine-in service and alcohol sales through April 30. The board also announced new beach closures: Sea Island and Jekyll Island. The board also announced all reservations under 30 days long on St. Simons Island and Sea Island at short-term rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, RV parks and campgrounds are to be canceled starting April 1, with the exception of "essential lodgers." For more information, you can call 912-554-7111 or click here.
10:55 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry hosted a virtual meeting Tuesday morning with members of the City Council at which he announced plans to introduce legislation to help small businesses affected by COVID-19.
Curry said the city has formed a partnership with VyStar Credit Union to provide between $20 million to $30 million in grants, loans and interest payments designed to help small businesses stay open and assist with employee retention.
8:39 a.m.: Dinner is now available to be picked up at select Duval County school locations. View here to check out the 71 participating schools.
7 a.m.: Clay County schools start online learning Tuesday and now they, and other schools, will stay closed through May 1 based on guidance from the Florida DOE.
5:51 a.m.: There are 164,274 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of midnight Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University.
3,164 people have died and 5,847 have recovered.
Monday, March 30
5:45 p.m.: Schools in Clay and St. Johns counties will stay closed through May 1, citing guidance from the State of Florida.
5:15 p.m.: The Duval County Supervisor of Elections was notified one of its poll workers tested positive for the coronavirus.
The poll worker worked on Election Day, March 17, at Precinct 608, which is located at Freedom Christian Fellowship Church, 3423 Loretto Rd.
3:58 p.m.: The City of Green Cove Springs, the city of Keystone Heights and Clay County are closing all city and county park playgrounds and sports fields as of sundown Monday to protect the public and encourage social distancing.
12:32 p.m.: Traffic checkpoints, accommodation restrictions and a county-wide mandatory curfew will be imposed in Camden County to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Noon: Mayor Lenny Curry said there are no shelter in place orders for Jacksonville currently, "but I asked my team to look at that order ... to see if there's relevant action there ... if it would be good for Jacksonville."
Curry also said he signed an executive order that will prohibit all hotels, motels and other commercial lodgings from accepting or extending reservations for those who are not considered as "essential lodgers." This order will be in effect 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The following are defined as essential lodgers.
10:05 a.m.: Florida Gov. Ron Desantis gave an update from Miami Gardens Monday regarding the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis says he has deployed rapid COVID-19 to South Florida counties and hospitals to combat the spread of the virus and has issued an ordinance to allow recently retired healthcare and police officers to return to the workforce if they desire. Previously, there was a six-month wait period.
DeSantis also doesn't want a cruise ship where four people died and dozens of others are sick to offload passengers for treatment in South Florida.
During the news conference, DeSantis said the state can't treat outsiders right now. According to the Associated Press, many of the passengers on board the Holland America Zaandam ship are American or Canadian.
9:45 a.m.: Florida Power & Light says it plans to issue a one-time bill decrease of nearly 25% due to lower fuel cost for those impacted by COVID-19.
9:09 a.m.: Tokyo Olympic organizers said Monday the opening ceremony of the next Olympics will take place on July 23, 2021 — almost exactly one year after the games were due to start this year.
7:18 a.m.: Large turnout expected at TIAA Bank testing site Monday. The City of Jacksonville posted a tweet saying that those who were not in line before 10 a.m. Sunday should come back Monday because they were nearing capacity.
Lot J's max daily capacity is set at 250 tests a day.
Sunday, March 29
2:30 p.m.: Former Jaguars offensive lineman Tony Boselli was admitted to a hospital with COVID-19, according to a report. He joins a list of current and former professional athletes who reportedly tested positive, including Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, and Sean Payton.
1 p.m.: Long lines of traffic formed as the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation stopped travelers from coronavirus "hot zones" to deliver a stern message: "Self isolate. We'll be watching."
At Interstate-95's entrance to Florida, every vehicle was diverted and drivers asked a series of questions.
9:21 a.m.: Testing at Lot J nears capacity Sunday morning.
Saturday, March 28
8:47 p.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said the city is expecting to receive more than $10 million from the state as part of its coronavirus response.
6 p.m.: St. Johns County officials announce all of the county's public beaches will be closed starting Sunday, March 29, at 6 a.m.
3:20 p.m.: The Florida Surgeon General sent out a Public Safety Alert text warning people over 65 years old or with medical conditions to stay inside. It also urged everyone to practice social distancing.
3 p.m.: Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis announces Jacksonville will receive rapid COVID-19 test kits that generate results in 45 minutes. He also announced an airline passenger infected with the coronavirus was intercepted en route from New York to Jacksonville.
11:17 a.m.: A free COVID-19 screening hotline will open in Southeast Georgia on Monday at 8 a.m. The hotline number is 912-466-7222.
Friday, March 27
1 p.m.: A news conference was held in Clay County with the latest update on COVID-19.
11 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry gives an update on the city's response to the coronavirus.
Curry said testing sites are continuing to function as directed and recommends anyone who needs to be tested, that does not own a vehicle, to reach out to the Florida Department of Health.
RELATED: Mayor Curry points to city website for small business resources amidst 'unprecedented times'
9:49 a.m.: The Indianapolis 500 rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
9:46 a.m.: Starting Friday, up to 18 seats will be blocked off on JTA buses that have the highest volume of customers to encourage social distancing.
8 a.m.: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the new coronavirus. He made the announcement early Friday on Twitter.
5:30 a.m.: Washington is about to deliver unprecedented legislation to speed help to individuals and businesses as the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll. The House is set to pass the sprawling, $2.2 trillion measure Friday morning.
4 a.m.: US has the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. passed both Italy and China Thursday and now has 85,991 cases as of 4 a.m. Friday morning. Nearly 1,300 people in the U.S. have died and 753 have recovered.
Thursday, March 26
2:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry held a virtual news conference on the city's efforts to combat COVID-19. He asked all employees who could work from home to do so. He urged landlords to be lenient during this time. Evictions have been placed on hold. Curry also said the Florida Supreme Court is suspending writs of possession until April 17.
12:18 p.m.: Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp issued Executive Order 03.26.20.02 closing public elementary and secondary schools for in-person instruction through April 24, 2020. Students may return to school on April 27, 2020.
10:57 a.m.: The St. Johns County Utility Department is suspending late fees on utility bills, effective immediately, in an attempt to ease the financial strain on families and businesses impacted by COVID-19.
10:32 a.m: Mayo Clinic will defer all elective care that can be deferred for eight or more weeks. This will include both elective surgeries, procedures and office visits. Semi-urgent, urgent and emergency care will continue in the clinic and hospital settings. This deferment will be effective March 23 at all Mayo Clinic locations nationwide
9:28 a.m.: Leaders of the world's most powerful economies are convening Thursday to virtually to coordinate a response to the fast-spreading new coronavirus.
8:27 a.m.: Camden County Board of Elections & Registration to mail absentee ballot request forms to every Georgia voter.
5:30 a.m.: U.S. Department of Labor figures to be released Thursday are expected to shatter the old record for the greatest number of new unemployment claims filed in a single week. There are more suddenly jobless Americans than during the Great Recession.
Wednesday, March 25
6:12 p.m.: The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is postponing its annual Brew at the Zoo event due to concerns about the impact of the coronavirus.
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.
3:30 p.m. President Donald Trump approved Florida's disaster declaration request, making federal funding available for emergency-related services across the state amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Ron DeSantis formally requested the declaration earlier in the week, with Senators Mario Rubio and Rick Scott writing a letter to the president in support.
3:16 p.m.: UNF announced it's closing its residence halls beginning Friday morning, except for students with extenuating circumstances who have the 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