OIA TSA Worker Tests Positive For Coronavirus
(Orlando, FL) -- Those who recently traveled through Orlando International Airport should be aware of a new coronavirus case. The TSA said yesterday an agent at OIA tested positive for COVID-19. The agent last worked March 23rd at the West Checkpoint between 4:00 a.m.and 12:30 p.m. This is the 10th TSA worker at OIA to test positive.
Brevard County Records Seven More Coronavirus Cases
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The number of coronavirus cases is rising in Brevard County, but slowly. The Florida Department of Health's latest numbers show seven more cases in the county for a total of 79. In Central Florida, only Sumter, with 75, and Marion, with 50, have fewer cases, but two deaths were reported yesterday in Maron. No deaths have been reported in Brevard.
Drive Thru Test Site In Melbourne To Handle 500-Tests Daily
(Melbourne, FL) -- A drive thru coronavirus test site in Melbourne plans to handle 500-tests daily. The site operated by OMNI Healthcare opens Tuesday April 7 starting at 8:00-a.m. All who think they should be tested must first undergo a telephone screening and pre-register by calling 321-802-5515. Test results are expected to be available in 24-hours. If all goes as planned in Melbourne, OMNI Healthcare may open other similar sites.
Miami Leads All Cities With Over 2,000 Cases
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Miami is by far the epicenter of the coronavirus in Florida. The Florida Department of Health's latest numbers show the city has almost 25-hundred cases, which is about four times more than Hollywood, which has the second-most cases in the state with over 600. Miami recorded another 170 cases yesterday while Hollywood picked up another 44. As for counties, Miami-Dade has the most cases with over 41-hundred, while Broward has almost 19-hundred, and Palm Beach has a thousand.
Third Cruise Ship With Coronavirus Patients Reaches South Florida
(Miami, FL) -- A third cruise ship with coronavirus patients reaches a south Florida port. Princess Cruise's Coral Princess docked yesterday in Miami. Two people aboard had already died from coronavirus while 12 others including five crew members had tested positive for the disease. Earlier in the week, Holland America's Zaandam and Rotterdam docked in Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. There were several deaths along with 14-aboard those ships who were in critical condition and had to be immediately hospitalized.
Infected Congressman Reunites With Family
(Miami, FL) -- A South Florida congressman who beat the coronavirus now wants to help others fighting COVID-19. Mario Diaz-Balart announced yesterday he no longer has the coronavirus, and he was reunited with his family in Miami. The 25th District Republican says he's still a bit weak, but he feels well enough to donate his plasma to the Red Cross. He tweeted he wants to help those with serious or immediately life-threatening infections.
Scott Asks Treasury To Fix Business Loan Program
(Washington, DC) -- Rick Scott is calling for fixes to a program meant to help small businesses during the pandemic. Senator Scott yesterday wrote a letter to the Treasury and Small Business Administration. Scott writes that he has heard from small business owners that their financial institutions are providing confusing information about a loan program that's part of the CARES Act signed into law recently. Loan applications will be available Friday, and Scott asks the agencies to ensure the rollout will be smooth.
State Offers Downloadable, Printable Unemployment Apps
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida is offering a downloadable, printable unemployment application. The Economic Opportunity office says because their computer system is struggling to handle all the online unemployment requests, now folks in need can fill out a paper application and send it in. The paper version of what is now being called the "re-employment assistance application" instead of "unemployment compensation" can be downloaded from FloridaJobs-dot-Org-front slash-Covid-dash-19.
Pizza Restaurant Giving Away Toilet Paper With Every Pizza Order
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- A pizza restaurant in Cape Canaveral is giving away a roll of toilet paper with every order. The manager of Papa Vito's said some customers were brought to tears by the gesture after they couldn't find toilet paper anywhere. Manager Austin Opinger said he's trying to be creative not only to help the community, but also to keep his 50 staffers busy.
Earth Has Lowered Ambient Noise
(Undated) -- With so many people at home because of the pandemic, the Earth is quieting down. Seismologists say that there's far less ambient vibration since there are fewer cars and people rumbling around outside. The Royal Observatory in Belgium reports that the vibration has dropped as much as 30 to 50 percent, similar to what they'd expect to see on Christmas Day. And with less ambient noise, seismologists have been able to detect smaller seismic events that otherwise might have gone unnoticed.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, NASA's InSight lander detects the first "Marsquake" on Mars.
2016, Facebook rolled out "Facebook Live," which allows users to stream video to their friends at any moment.
2000, a private company mapping the human genetic blueprint announced it had decoded all of the DNA pieces that makeup the genetic pattern of a human being.
1987, Sugar Ray Leonard upset Marvelous Marvin Hagler to become middleweight boxing champion.
1930, Hostess Twinkies were invented by bakery executive James Dewar.
1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece.