According to DOH Dashboard as of 11 a.m. EDT, Florida has had 41 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours – up 47%. Â Escambia has more cases than Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties combined. Â Santa Rosa and Okaloosa both have 46 cases, Escambia 97.
| 4/1/20 | 4/2/20 | |||
| 11:30 a.m. | 11 a.m. | Increase | ||
| Total Cases | 6955 | 8010 | 1055 | 15.17% |
| Florida Residents | 6694 | 7717 | 1023 | 15.28% |
| Non-Fla. | 261 | 293 | 32 | 12.26% |
| Deaths | 87 | 128 | 41 | 47.13% |
| Escambia | 94 | 97 | 3 | 3.19% |
| Okaloosa | 39 | 46 | 7 | 17.95% |
| Santa Rosa | 44 | 46 | 2 | 4.55% |
| Broward | 1232 | 1346 | 114 | 9.25% |
Escambia County has dropped out of  Top 12, currently #14, and ranked #9 for per capita.
| Rank | County | Population | Cases | Per 30K |
| 1 | Dade | Â Â Â 2,715,516 | 2202 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 24.33 |
| 2 | Broward | Â Â Â Â Â Â 924,229 | 1346 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 43.69 |
| 3 | Palm Beach | Â Â Â 1,446,277 | 630 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13.07 |
| 4 | Orange | Â Â Â 1,321,194 | 502 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11.40 |
| 5 | Hillsborough | Â Â Â 1,378,883 | 372 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.09 |
| 6 | Duval | Â Â Â Â Â Â 924,229 | 271 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.80 |
| 7 | Lee | Â Â Â Â Â Â 718,679 | 245 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10.23 |
| 8 | Pinellas | Â Â Â Â Â Â 957,875 | 239 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7.49 |
| 9 | Collier | Â Â Â Â Â Â 363,922 | 161 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13.27 |
| 10 | Osceola | Â Â Â Â Â Â 338,619 | 153 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13.56 |
| 11 | Seminole | Â Â Â Â Â Â 455,086 | 136 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.97 |
| 12 | Sarasota | Â Â Â Â Â Â 412,144 | 100 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7.28 |
| 13 | Volusia | Â Â Â Â Â Â 527,634 | 100 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.69 |
| 14 | Escambia | Â Â Â Â Â Â 311,522 | 97 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.34 |
| 15 | St. Johns | Â Â Â Â Â Â 235,503 | 94 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11.97 |
Blue Wahoos postpone April games
This morning, the Blue Wahoos announced that all April home games for the team have been postponed, in accordance with the State of Florida’s stay-at-home order going in effect tonight. We’re reaching out to Season Ticket Members, mini plan holders, sponsors, and fans with individual game tickets, but fans with ticketing questions are welcome to contact Tickets@BlueWahoos.com with questions, which we’ll handle on a case-by-case basis. Blue Wahoos Stadium will be closed to the public for the duration of the stay-at-home order, but our curbside pick-up food service will remain open.
Sales Tax Returns
Taxpayers Not Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak
The order states that taxpayers not adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak are required to continue to file and pay March 2020 monthly sales and use tax returns on or before Monday, April 20, 2020. You must file a tax return even if you do not owe tax.
If you file a paper return, your return and payment must be postmarked by Monday, April 20, 2020.
If you electronically pay only or you electronically file and pay at the same time, you must initiate your electronic payment and receive a confirmation number no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 17, 2020.
Taxpayers Adversely Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak
For taxpayers that are adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the order extends the due date for March 2020 monthly sales and use tax returns and payments to Thursday, April 30, 2020. You must file a tax return even if you do not owe tax.
If you file a paper return, your return and payment must be postmarked by Thursday, April 30, 2020.
If you electronically pay only or you electronically file and pay at the same time, you must initiate your electronic payment and receive a confirmation number no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
“Adversely affected†is defined as any of the following conditions:
The business closed in March 2020 in compliance with a state or local government order issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and following the closure had no taxable sales transactions.
The business experienced sales tax collections in March 2020 that are less than 75% of March 2019 sales tax collections.
The business was established after March 2019.
The business is registered with the Department to file quarterly.
If you have already submitted your return and payment, or you file and pay electronically, please disregard this reminder.
Waiving the Waiting Week for Reemployment Assistance
Yesterday, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), at the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, announced the waiving of the requirement to wait a week to receive Reemployment Assistance benefits through May 8, 2020. The waiting week has been waived so eligible Floridians may receive the support they need to help recover from the current economic impacts of COVID-19.
“We appreciate Governor DeSantis’ continued commitment to keep Floridians economic security a priority while we mitigate the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19,†said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of DEO. “Under his leadership, our team is taking proactive steps to ensure we can serve all Floridians whose employment has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.â€
Previously, Governor DeSantis waived the work search and online work registration requirements for Reemployment Assistance while the state works to stop the spread of COVID-19. Individuals filing for Reemployment Assistance will not be required to register in Employ Florida or submit information on a biweekly basis on the employers contacted each week. The waiving of the waiting week is applicable to anyone who has filed for Reemployment Assistance beginning March 29 through May 8, 2020.