Coronavirus update: Miami and Cutler Bay require masks, Broward nurse dies and new Lauderhill testing site

Today is Thursday, April 9 and the global total of coronavirus cases sits at 1.4 million. FEMA will start restricting exports of critical medical supplies needed by the United States as more than 14,000 people have died in the country.

Florida gained almost a thousand cases yesterday. The total now stands at 15,698, officially surpassing Illinois and following close behind Pennsylvania by state numbers.

Cutler Bay Town Manager Rafael Casals signed an executive order on Tuesday requiring all employees and customers of grocery stores, restaurants and pharmacies in the area to wear face coverings when inside the establishments. It is also required for those who make deliveries. The order will take effect April 10 at 11:59 p.m.

The city of Miami also mandated employees and customers of essential businesses and construction sites to wear face masks on-premises. The order takes effect today.

A lawsuit was filed in Miami Federal Court on Tuesday on behalf of passengers of the Costa Luminosa. The lawsuit claims cruise ship officials failed to communicate the risk of the virus to 2,000 of its passengers before boarding and many crew members mishandled sick patients on the ship. The ship left Fort Lauderdale on March 5 and arrived in France on March 19.

Local 10 reported on Wednesday that Publix employees at the Mary Brickell Village and Cutler Bay stores have tested positive for COVID-19. Several other employees of the Miami Lakes location have decided to self-quarantine after coming in contact with an infected coworker.

A 29-year-old mother of two from Fort Lauderdale died last Saturday after battling COVID-19, sources told WSVN 7. Natasha Germain contracted the illness back in March and spent 15 days hospitalized.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Wednesday that said homicide detectives are investigating the death of an inmate who was recently hospitalized and treated for COVID-19. The inmate died on Tuesday at Northwest Medical Center at 3:28 p.m.

Broward Health opened a new testing site at Central Broward Regional Park on Wednesday. Those who would like to get screened will need to make an appointment and have a prescription from an attending physician.

NBC 6 reported on Wednesday that a Florida Medical Center nurse had died of complications of COVID-19. Earl Bailey was 56 years old and had been self-isolating at home.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis shared that the field hospital at the Miami Beach Convention Center will treat COVID-19 patients. DeSantis also added that 184 national guard medical personnel will be working at the hospital which will include 400 beds and 50 intensive care units.

Multimedia story of the day

The Associated Press is reporting that African Americans account for more than 40% of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. where the race of victims has been made publicly known. Data from states, cities and counties show black people are regularly overrepresented compared to their share of the population.

Tweet of the day:

Mickaella Mori authored this article. Monica Lebro produced the video.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Florida had more COVID-19 cases than Massachusetts. It instead has been changed to state that we are currently beneath Pennsylvania in numbers of cases.

Mickaella is a senior at FIU, currently majoring in Journalism and looking forward to a Spring 2020 graduation. She was born in New Jersey but moved to Miami at the age of 7. Missing the fall foliage, winter snow and 24/7 deli’s, she plans to move back up north to New York after graduation and further enhance her career.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Monica is working on her broadcast journalism bachelor's degree. She loves to write and is passionate about sports, the art of interviewing and strives to become an on-air sports talent. She produces digital content and is a social media manager.