COVID-19 in Florida: 216 cases, 7 deaths

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says 216 people have now tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the state. Of those patients, 196 are Florida residents, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Additionally, there are six residents suffering from the disease in other states. Gov. DeSantis said 4 students from the University of Florida tested positive; 1 of those students had been traveling internationally.

DeSantis also announced a 77-year-old man in Broward County died Monday evening. Two more people at his nursing home have also died, but test results have not yet come back on their causes of death. Late Tuesday, the state said a Manatee County patient had died, bringing the state's total deaths to seven.

Polk County has also reported its first case of coronavirus. The state health department says it's a female who is a resident of Florida, and it doesn't appear she has a history of international travel.

To slow the spread of the virus, nearly all public events in the state have been canceled.

During Tuesday morning's press conference, the governor said all bars and nightclubs in the state would close for 30 days, beginning 5 p.m. Tuesday. He said all restaurants would be required to screen their employees and operate at 50% capacity. Gatherings of more than 10 people will be banned on beaches, DeSantis said.

If you feel sick

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website

CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know

Map: All confirmed COVID-19 cases

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