State of Florida health officials reported 928 new positive COVID-19 cases (902 Florida residents and 26 non-Florida residents) and forty-two deaths related to COVID-19, according to the latest Department of Health (DOH) update.
This brings the state totals to 44,138 Florida cases with 1,917 deaths related to COVID-19.
On Thursday, of the DOH more than 21,800 test results that were reported, four percent were positive.
During a press conference in Jacksonville Friday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced that the state would move into a full Phase 1 reopening next Monday, May 18.
This includes restaurants may increase indoor dining to 50% capacity, retail establishments can operate at 50% indoor capacity and gyms can do the same.
DeSantis noted theme parks (like Disney and Universal Studios) will remain closed; however, they can submit reopening plans to state officials.
In Miami-Dade County, the hardest hit county in Florida from COVID-19 (more than 15,000 cases), Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez has signed Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 23-20, allowing for the Monday, May 18, 2020 opening of certain establishments previously deemed as non-essential during the County’s COVID-19 response.
At this time, Miami-Dade County WILL NOT REOPEN beaches, hotels (except for those serving essential lodgers), hotel pools, apartment and condominium pools, spas, licensed massage establishments, tattoo shops, bars, clubs, gyms, dance studios, bowling alleys, movie theaters and large event venues. And, professional sports facilities may not have fans present.
