The Florida Department of Health reports 242 additional confirmed cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide number of cases to 15,234. State health officials also announced 14 additional COVID-19-related deaths, Wednesday, for a total of 323 fatalities, including new deaths in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
The rate of testing in Florida has increased over the past week and the rate of positive test results still stands at about 11%.
This week, Florida began reporting COVID-19 statistics on race and ethnicity as national reports are showing that black people are contracting and dying of the coronavirus at significantly higher rates than white people.
Cases of COVID-19 in black Florida residents grew by nearly 20% between the Department of Health's report Monday evening and Wednesday morning. Deaths rose by 30%, which-- compares to infection rate growth among white Florida residents of 15.5% and a death rate increase of more than 21% over the same time period. The News-Press reports the rate of increased numbers of cases among Florida's Hispanic population grew by 17.3% over that same time period with a death rate increase of nearly 8%.
Since Florida officials only recently began releasing this type of demographic data, it's too early to tell whether blacks are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 or if the virus was initially concentrated in the white population and is now spreading in the black community.
U.S. Rep. and former governor Charlie Crist is joining other state Democrats to push Gov. DeSantis for more money for people receiving unemployment benefits. Currently, the state offers a maximum of $275 a week for 12 weeks. Crist said that puts Florida’s unemployment payments among the lowest in the nation. “We’re offering this suggestion as a way to quickly and easily reduce the strain on our out-of-work Floridians by using the powers the governor currently possesses to increase Florida’s unemployment benefit,” said Crist. “In fact, governors in Georgia and Michigan, which have similar authorities, have already taken this action.”
Crist also said the length of time someone is eligible for benefits should be extended. He worries once the federal stimulus of $600 for 16 weeks runs out citizens will be stuck relying on just the current state benefits.
Democratic lawmakers are also asking Gov. DeSantis to stop the $540 million in refunds heading to corporations May 1. They warn Florida could be hit hard given the state’s tourism industry is at a standstill along with other businesses. State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando), said with so many people struggling, handing out money to corporations isn’t the right thing to do.
“Giving out this giant corporate refund at this time, is not only insulting to those folks, but it also just should not be a priority for Florida,” said Smith. “That’s why we’re urging Governor DeSantis to use his executive authority to stop this.”
A spokesman for DeSantis said the tax refunds will continue to go to corporate taxpayers. Democrats hope they can persuade the Governor to change his mind.
Florida’s election supervisors are asking Gov. DeSantis to give them more time to mail out ballots. They also want to shrink the number of polling sites and start early voting, sooner. The changes are being requested as supervisors anticipate a shortage of poll workers in the coming elections. Many are slated between now and November. Florida League of Women Voters President Patricia Brigham said the group is backing the request. “Accommodations do need to be made and we’re hopeful that the governor will listen to the supervisors and those of us who believe these changes are really needed,” said Brigham.
The League is urging voters to request mail-in-ballots early. In the letter to DeSantis, the supervisors say they’re not in a position to go completely vote-by-mail. DeSantis has said he’s open to working with counties on their elections needs. The Florida Democratic party is concerned shrinking polling sites could disenfranchise some voters.
With empty shelves in grocery stores becoming a common sight during the pandemic, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued an emergency order to increase the speed at which fresh eggs can be sold to consumers.
On Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried issued an emergency order waiving certain packaging and labeling requirements for eggs sold by Florida food retailers.
Florida’s Director of Food Safety Matthew Curran said the move gets the staple food to consumers faster.
"This is a great thing that helps avoid food spoil and provides more food to the market," Curran said. "In some areas we are seeing shortages, so I think this is a win-win and can put that food into consumers' hands right away."
Under the order, packaged eggs will not be required to have the pack date or egg grade printed on individual packages. That information will be made available on placards on display in stores.
FDAC’s Communications Director Franco Ripple said the quality standard for eggs will not be affected by the new order.
"Consumers can still expect to have the same level of protection, but this is just an effort to move them more quickly," Ripple said.
Commissioner Fried’s emergency order followed an announcement made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowing temporary flexibility for certain packaging and labeling requirements for fresh eggs sold in retail food establishments.
Marco Island will not be reopening a pair of beach access points next week after all. In a news release, Wednesday, city officials announced that beach access points and pedestrian walkways by the Maderia and Crystal Shores condominiums would not reopen April 13, but instead will remain closed through at least the end of April.
On Monday, city council members voted to reopen those beach access points, but City Manager Mike McNees reversed that decision under the authority of the state of emergency declared last month and under statute within the city's civil emergency code. Earlier, the Marco Island Civic Association decided to close its private beach access points after consultation with the city manager.
A judge, this week, sided with Gov. DeSantis in a lawsuit attempting to force a statewide closure of beaches amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Tallahassee Democrat reports, Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll approved a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by an attorney in the panhandle.
DeSantis' deputy general counsel Nicholas Primrose argued that forcing a statewide closure of beaches would be an overreach of the court's authority and that the governor has legal discretion in deciding how to use emergency powers during the crisis.
The judge urged the attorney who filed to suit to take his case to the First District Court of Appeal for review.
A Fort Myers man has become the first person in Lee County to be charged with violating Governor Ron DeSantis' statewide 'safer-at-home' order. Violating the order constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor. The News-Press reports John Demeo, 53, is also charged with criminal mischief and disorderly intoxication. He also had an outstanding warrant and a probation violation for a previous DUI.
Fort Myers police report Demeo's girlfriend called for help, saying he was drunk and threatening to break down the gate to her community. He remains in the Lee County jail on a $5,000 bond.
The Governor's safer-at-home order allows essential businesses to remain open and limits the movement of people to essential services and activities like seeking medical care or buying groceries. The order, which went into effect last Friday, remains in effect for 30 days.
