Today is Monday, April 27th, and Florida cases have passed 31,000 while deaths have reached over 1,000. Florida, which has the third largest population, is eighth on the list of most cases in the United States.
Miami-Dade County is opening its first walk-up coronavirus testing site. As of today, residents showing symptoms or those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive can call 305-499-8767 to make an appointment up to three days in advance. The call center is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until the next day’s appointment slots are filled.
The second round of a community testing study conducted by Miami-Dade County and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine suggests the actual number of infections may be 16.5 times that found by testing sites and local hospitals. Six percent of participants in the study tested positive for having COVID-19 antibodies, and more than half were completely asymptomatic in the seven to fourteen days prior to screening.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity took its system down for maintenance on Friday to make improvements and increase efficiency. New claimants can still file a claim through the website.
The Reemployment Assistance system is processing payments so that Floridians can get paid, quickly. You’ll be able to change your pin or update your information tomorrow at 8am. The call center team can assist you in filing a new claim or answering questions: 1-800-204-2418.
— Florida DEO (@FLDEO) April 26, 2020
On Saturday Florida officials opened an online portal allowing the public to weigh in on the reopening of the state according to WSVN. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office called public feedback a “critical component” for the Re-Open Florida Task Force.
Florida State Representative Chip LaMarca, Lighthouse Point, released an updated schedule last night for school district meal distribution sites that he says will be more convenient for the public. The new schedule begins today.
#COVID19 UPDATE:
New School District Meal Distribution Days Starting April 27
See details on the LaMarca Letter below. To find a complete list of food distribution sites and other information regarding
the District’s response to the coronavirus, visit https://t.co/iPF3fqGo1f. pic.twitter.com/YRp4FOBc4u— Chip LaMarca❗️ (@ChipLaMarca) April 27, 2020
Broward County Library 3D printed 150 mask-fastening S-hooks for Broward healthcare workers last Thursday, according to a Twitter post.
This morning Broward County Library’s Executive Director Kelvin Watson met with Michael Huempfner, of @BrowardHealth, to deliver 150 S-hooks for healthcare professionals. The hooks were 3D printed in our Creation Station maker spaces by staff.#FirstResponders #HeroesOfCovid19 pic.twitter.com/PzDrJubRXh
— Broward County Library (@BrowardLibrary) April 23, 2020
Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation agreed on Friday to return $77 million in federal aid meant for small businesses according to a report by Reuters. The initial $350 billion from the U.S. Protection Payment Program was gone in less than two weeks, and Congress has approved an additional $310 billion starting this week.
Multimedia story of the day: Drew DeSilver of the Pew Research Center writes about the dramatic variation between states when it comes to unemployment benefits.
Tweet of the day:
I just won TOILET PAPER at neighborhood social distance Bingo. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy. pic.twitter.com/PVzORmkjoR
— Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) April 26, 2020
The story was written by Beatriz De La Portilla and the video was produced by Andrea Igliozzi.
