The Collier and Charlotte County School District has announced Friday that it will close its schools starting March 16th until March 27th, 2020.
Classes are expected to resume on March 30.
Out of the eight cases in Southwest Florida, one has been confirmed in Charlotte County.
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President Trump declared a national emergency on Friday afternoon from a press conference that took place at the White House’s Rose Garden. This move gives him the authority to use billions of dollars allocated by Congress for disaster relief to address the coronavirus crisis.
“I am officially declaring a national emergency: two very big words,” he said.
According to The New York Times, there are more than 1,700 cases of coronavirus in the U.S. 17 recent new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Florida, bringing the total number of Florida-related cases to 51, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Here is a list of the new cases:
- A 73-year-old Palm Beach County man tested positive. Health officials say this is a travel-related case and is associated with the Nile River Cruise in Egypt.
- A 74-year-old Palm Beach County man tested positive. Health officials say this is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 50-year-old New York man who is currently in Sarasota County tested positive. Health officials say it is unclear if this is a travel-related case.
- A 70-year-old Massachusetts man in Sarasota County tested positive. Health officials say it is unclear if this is a travel-related case.
- A 24-year-old Alachua County woman tested positive. Health officials say this a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 70-year-old Volusia County man has tested positive. Health officials say this is a travel-related case and is associated with the Nile River Cruise in Egypt.
- An 83-year-old Duval County man has tested positive. It is unclear if this is a travel-related case.
- A 57-year-old Clay County man has tested positive. Health officials say it is unclear if this is a travel-related case.
- A 28-year-old Broward County woman has tested positive. Health officials say it is unclear if this is a travel-related case.
- 25-year-old Broward County woman has tested positive. Health officials said this is a travel-related related case.
- A 20-year-old Texas woman in Broward County has tested positive. Health officials said this is a travel-related case.
- A 68-year-old Broward County woman has tested positive. The case is associated with Port Everglades, according to health officials.
- A 36-year-old Broward County man has tested positive. Health officials said this is a travel-related case.
- A 49-year-old Hillsborough County woman has tested positive. This is a travel-related case to Europe, according to health officials.
- A 77-year-old Lee County man has tested positive. Health officials said it is not clear if this is a travel-related case.
- A 42-year-old Miami-Dade County man has tested positive. Health officials said this is a travel-related case with exposure to an international traveler.
Anyone who becomes ill should contact their county health department or health care provider prior to physically going to the doctor.
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