Florida became the third state on March 1 to confirm its first coronavirus cases: one in Manatee County and one in Hillsborough County.[1] On March 3, Helen Ferre, the spokeswoman for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, announces a third presumptive positive case in Hillsborough County.[2][3]
On March 5, Governor Ron DeSantis reported a new case: an "elderly [man] with severe underlying [health] conditions" in Santa Rosa County who had recently travelled outside the United States.[4] The Department of Health announced three new cases late on March 6, two in Broward County and one in Lee County. Officials also announced two deaths.[5]
On March 9, nine new cases were announced, bringing the total cases from 14 to 23.[6][7] Princess Cruises terminated a planned stop of the Caribbean Princess cruise ship in Grand Cayman after it was discovered that two of its crew members had recently transferred from the Grand Princess in California. The cruise ship was ordered to anchor off the coast of Fort Lauderdale while its passengers and crew could be tested for coronavirus. Furthermore, a fourth Princess Cruises cruise ship, the Regal Princess, was placed on a "no sail order" off the Florida coast after it was discovered that two of its crew members had recently transferred from the Grand Princess in California.[8][9]
On March 11, Florida State University announced that classes will be moved online from March 23 to April 5, with in-person classes expected to resume on April 6.[10] On March 12, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced that the Walt Disney World Resort would close on March 15.
On March 1, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency after two cases were confirmed in Manatee County and Hillsborough County.[11]
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