Publisher
ClickOrlando.com
Location
Orlando, Florida
Last reviewed
10/24/2020 3:35 p.m. EDT
Overview
The Florida Department of Health reported 4,471 new cases on Saturday. This comes after the U.S. reported more than 83,000 infections, the most reported in a single day.
Deaths
Health officials Saturday reported 77 people have recently died from COVID-19. As of Saturday’s coronavirus report, these new deaths bring the death toll from COVID-19 to 16,620.
Social distancing
U.S. health officials redefined what counts as close contact with someone with COVID-19 to include briefer but repeated encounters.
Mask mandates
Volunteers in Orlando are creating PPE kits for the homeless veterans that included cleaning supplies and face masks.
Health care status
Currently, there are 2,169 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration, a slight increase by 50 patients over the past 24 hours.
Schools
Orange County leaders continue to warn parents about birthday parties and off-campus events leading to community spread of the virus.
Theme parks
Universal Orlando’s two largest theme parks reached limited capacity Saturday. This is one of the few times that’s happened since the parks reopened.
Businesses & facilities
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that current restrictions on visitation policies at long-term care facilities across the state will be loosened to allow residents more time with their family and friends in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Public transport
SunRail and Lynx remain operational as workers are thoroughly cleaning trains and buses during the pandemic. Service of the I-RIDE Trolley, which operates in Orlando’s tourist district, has been suspended indefinitely. Lynx announced that it has resumed charging riders fares.
How to help
If you’d like to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a list of groups to which you can donate.