Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcementNew resolution could help fend off FEMA’s threat to pull flood insurance discount
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, there have been 6,741 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 6,490 Florida residents and 251 non-Florida residents. There are currently 77 deaths reported, according to the Florida Department of Health. One of the six new deaths announced Tuesday morning was an 89-year-old Glades County man. He had not traveled but did have contact with a confirmed case. Two new deaths were reported in Lee County: a 62-year-old woman who traveled to Ecuador and a 96-year-old woman who had not traveled and had no known contact with anyone positive for the virus. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 6,741 (up from 6,338) – 403 new Deaths: 86 (up from 79) – 8 new *This number includes the Charlotte County death we reporter earlier but is not reflected in official numbers released. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total in SWFL: 390 (up from 364) – 26 new Deaths: 12 (up from 10) – 2 new Lee County: 206 (up from 185) – 21 new Collier County: 146 (up from 142) – 4 new Charlotte County: 24 (up from 23) – 1 new DeSoto County: 7 (no change) Glades County: 3 (no change) Hendry County: 4 (no change) Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. There have been 63,400 total tests administered in the state of Florida, with 6,741 positive tests. 56,644 tests have come back negative, and the remainder is pending, according to the FDOH website. NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs as business picks up amid coronavirus crisis LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings TUESDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Newly unemployed? What you need to know Options are available if you’re struggling to make rent or mortgage payments this month WATCH TUESDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCES: 4:30 p.m. Gov. Ron Desantis holds a daily briefing from Tallahassee. WATCH HERE. 5 p.m. White House Coronavirus Task Force daily briefing GOV. DESANTIS BRIEFING WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING Target at Coconut Point employee tests positive An employee at the Coconut Point Target in Estero has tested positive for the coronavirus. Target said the employee has been quarantined and the store is undergoing a deep cleaning. At this point, it isn’t known how much contact the worker had with shoppers. Port Charlotte senior living facility resident dies A resident at the South Port Square senior living facility in Port Charlotte has died from the coronavirus at an area hospital, according to South Port Square’s Executive Director Brian Hess. Another resident is positive for the virus and being treated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends during this difficult time, said Hess. “The resident had lived at South Port Square for 20 years and will be greatly missed.” All Florida public school buildings will remain closed through May 1 The commissioner of the Florida Department of Education has directed all public school buildings in Florida to remain closed through May 1, as students begin e-learning. IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.