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Coronavirus hospitalizations have increased across the state of Florida, and the trend is expected to continue until further notice.  The state of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration is now publicly releasing its bed capacity for all hospitals statewide.  The dashboard includes bed census, availability, available capacity and total staffed bed capacity.  SEE THE DASHBOARD Local hospitals have been planning for an upcoming surge of patients that could last through May.  As part of that preparation, elective surgeries have been postponed. 

More than one million people worldwide -- including more than 245,000 people in the United States – have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. as hospitals brace for unprecedented patient surges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the U.S. here. Live updates for Friday, April 3, continue below:  Libya confirms 1st coronavirus-related death Update 4:35 a.m. EDT April 3: Libya’s National Center for Disease Control confirmed the country’s first novel coronavirus-related fatality in a statement released Thursday. The patient, who was not diagnosed until after hear death, was an 85-year-old woman. According to a tally maintained by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the North African nation has reported a total of 11 infections to date. Lenders question Friday rollout of $349B small business coronavirus relief program Update 4:23 a.m. EDT April 3: The $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program is slated to launch today, but banks tapped to disperse the emergency federal small business loans told The Washington Post they are skeptical the plan is rollout-ready. “Having just received guidance outlining how to implement a $349 billion program literally hours before it starts, we would ask for everyone to be patient as banks move heaven and earth to get a system in place and running to help America’s small businesses and the millions of men and women who work at them,” Richard Hunt, president and chief executive officer of the Consumer Bankers Association, said in a statement. The Paycheck Protection Program, considered a key element of the $2.2 trillion economic relief package approved by Congress one week ago, is intended to deliver a “sharply streamlined, same-day approval process unheard of in the history of federally backed small business lending,” the Post reported. Several participating lenders indicated in interviews with the Post as late as Thursday, however, that they are still awaiting finalized program guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Small Business Administration before processing any applications despite today’s launch date. Amid coronavirus crisis Disney to furlough employees ‘whose jobs aren't necessary at this time’ Update 3:28 a.m. EDT April 3: Walt Disney Co. has officially notified employees that those “whose jobs aren’t necessary at this time” will be furloughed beginning April 19. The global entertainment empire shuttered all 12 of its theme parks on March 12 and has been paying its employees salaries in the interim. Per the latest announcement, those payments will cease on April 18. The company said in its statement it has been “forced to make the difficult decision to take the next step and furlough employees” because there is “no clear indication of when we can restart our businesses.” All furloughed workers will remain employed by Disney and retain their benefits. Mexico’s Grupo Modelo halts production of Corona beer Update 2:54 a.m. EDT April 3: Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo announced late Thursday it will temporarily halt production of Corona beer as the novel coronavirus pandemic pits essential products against those deemed nonessential. In a news release, Grupo Modelo said the move is in response to the Mexican government’s Tuesday directive that suspends temporarily most industries not deemed “essential” services such as health care and agriculture. In turn, the company plans to cease producing its brews on Sunday with no clear timeline outlined for a return to production. Supplies seized from suspected Brooklyn hoarder donated to medical staffs fighting coronavirus Update 2:32 a.m. EDT April 3: Some New York and New Jersey medical personnel are slightly better stocked after a Brooklyn man’s arrest led authorities to a stockpile of hoarded medical supplies, CNN reported. Prosecutors contend in court documents that Baruch Feldheim, 43, sold N95 masks to doctors and nurses at substantially inflated prices. In turn, the roughly 192,000 in-demand respirator masks and assorted other supplies are being redistributed to medical personnel across New York and New Jersey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sony launches $100 million global coronavirus relief fund Update 2 a.m. EDT April 3: Sony is preparing to launch $100 million fund to provide global relief to those affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. “Sony extends its condolences to the families of those who have passed away as a result of the coronavirus crisis and extends its sympathies to all those who have been impacted,” Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony’s president and chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement, adding, “In order to overcome the unprecedented challenges that as a society we now face around the world, we will do all we can as a global company to support the individuals on the front lines of the battle against coronavirus the children who are our future, and those who have been impacted in the creative community.'   US coronavirus deaths hit 6,053, total cases top 245K Update 12:30 a.m. EDT April 3: The number of novel coronavirus cases in the United States surpassed 245,000 early Friday morning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, there are at least 245,540 confirmed U.S. cases of the virus, which have resulted in at least 6,053 deaths. U.S. cases now more than double the 115,242 reported in Italy and the 112,065 confirmed in Spain. Of the confirmed U.S. deaths, 2,374 – or roughly 40 percent of the nationwide total – have occurred in New York, 537 in New Jersey and 417 in Michigan.  In terms of diagnosed cases, New York remains the hardest hit with at least 92,720 confirmed cases – or more than three times the next-closest state – followed by New Jersey with 25,590 and California with 11,042. Seven other states have now confirmed at least 6,000 novel coronavirus cases each, including: • Michigan: 10,791, including 417 deaths • Louisiana: 9,159, including 310 deaths • Florida: 9,008, including 144 deaths • Massachusetts: 8,966, including 154 deaths • Illinois: 7,695, including 163 deaths • Pennsylvania: 7,268, including 90 deaths • Washington: 6,588, including 271 deaths Meanwhile, Georgia and Texas each has confirmed at least 5,000 novel coronavirus infections; Connecticut, Colorado and Indiana each has confirmed at least 3,000 cases; and Ohio, Tennessee and Maryland each has confirmed at least 2,000 cases. Click here to see CNN’s state-by-state breakdown.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is asking you to keep an eye out for 18-year-old Amelia Waldeck. They say she was reported missing out of Providence, Rhode Island, on March 27, 2020. Police say her family members believe that she is in the Jacksonville-area based on recent communications.  JSO says she is believed to be in some type of distress and communication has ceased.  She's described as a white woman, 5'0' tall, and weighing 135 pounds. Police say she has brown eyes and auburn hair.  If you've seen Waldeck, you're urged to call JSO immediately at (904) 630-0500.

St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson said all St. Johns County high school graduation ceremonies are canceled. Forson released the following statement to families: “Today, I have made the very difficult decision to cancel all traditional high school graduations. The UNF arena is no longer available and I believe our high schools need to be consistent in how we celebrate the Class of 2020. In addition, COVID-19 could still be a threat into the summer, we simply do not know. Your school will communicate virtual graduation plans as soon as they are finalized.”

Liquor sales in the United States are rising as people are turning to alcohol to help them cope with the coronavirus pandemic. While most businesses have been forced to close, liquor stores are staying open during Florida’s stay at home order.  Under Gov. Ron DeSantis’s order, liquor stores are listed as essential businesses.  Local, state and federal guidelines all state that these businesses fall into that category because they sell other goods like water, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.  Don Weiss said he's in favor of them staying open.  “I’m glad that I can get this. I don’t need it. I can drink ice tea, but liquor stores, it’s a business. It helps the economy. You shut that down your restaurants are all closed except take out, so you have to balance the health needs, the health requirements as well as keeping businesses alive,” Weiss said.  New research out by Nielsen shows that Americans are boosting their spirits by drinking more spirits.  Alcohol sales in the U.S. increased by 55% during the third week of March.  Diane McQueen is the program director of the Greenfield Center, which deals with addiction and alcohol.  Her center has been getting more calls than usual from people who need help.  McQueen said isolation is a big problem for people struggling with addiction.  “So with this increase in alcohol sales, which to me is very terrifying, please, please reach out. Don’t stay alone. There’s lots of avenues to travel, there’s lots of meetings on Zoom. There’s lots of ways we can connect people or help them,” she said.  She said one of the major signs for recognizing addition is if you notice a person’s sudden change in behavior.

First Alert Forecast from Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh.

Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh is tracking clouds moving in from the west.

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