Tracking coronavirus: Florida reports under 3,000 new cases for 3rd day in a row; death toll rises by 183

Below is a log of the day's events as it relates to the global coronavirus pandemic.

4:00 p.m. -- The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing. Read more HERE.

2:00 p.m. -- Governor DeSantis' task force meets to discuss how to safely reopen long-term care facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to watch the task force meeting

12:56 p.m. -- Starting Wednesday, Seminole County residents can apply for up to $5,000 in CARES Act funding. Find out what you need to apply and where to do so HERE.

12:07 p.m. -- Seminole County schools have asked over 100 people to self-quarantine after possibly being exposed to COVID-19. Read more HERE.

10:45 a.m. -- The Florida Department of Health reported 2,673 new cases of COVID-19 and 183 more deaths since Monday morning. The statewide case total since the start of the pandemic is now at 605,502, resulting in 10,580 deaths. This is the 10th straight day in a row that cases have been reported under 5,000. This is also only the fourth time since June 22 that fewer than 3,000 new cases have been tallied in a day.

8 25 NEW CASES

9:29 a.m. -- Students and teachers in one state could face a misdemeanor if they defy the mask mandate, which was introduced in July, according to a news release from the governor's office. Read more HERE.

8:56 a.m. -- Some Central Florida students and parents faced technical difficulties on the first day of classes -- and many vented their frustration on social media. Read more HERE.

6:19 a.m. -- On Tuesday, Orange County residents can apply for more help when it comes to paying rent. 

The Eviction Diversion Program is meant to help tenants who are in immediate danger of being evicted due to the coronavirus. This is not the same as a rental assistance program. In order to qualify, both the landlord and the tenant must agree to participate and meet the requirements. How to apply HERE.

5:26 a.m. -- A 75-year-old man who recently underwent surgery for placement of a heart stent was attacked by another man outside a Daytona Beach Shores Publix, authorities said. The victim told investigators it began inside the store when he interacted with a woman while in line at a register.  Because of his recent surgery, the victim said he was concerned about social distancing and asked the woman to abide by health guidelines as she stood within a safe space as marked on the floor. 

4:53 a.m. -- A Florida judge has ruled that an order to reopen Florida's schools for in-person learning is unconstitutional. Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson issued the ruling after hearing closing arguments in lawsuits filed by the Florida Education Association and the union that represents two Orange County teachers. The Orange County School Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss the next steps. FOX 35's Jessica Albert reports. 

4:08 a.m. -- The Florida Department of Health on Monday reported 2,258 new cases and 72 more deaths. The statewide case total is now at 602,829 since the start of the pandemic, resulting in 10,397 deaths.

This is the 9th straight day in a row that cases have been reported under 5,000. This is also only the third time since June 22 that fewer than 3,000 new cases have been tallied in a day. The other time was last Monday, when 2,678 cases were reported and Sunday, when 2,974 cases were reported. 

Sundays and Mondays often have a low number of reports as not all hospitals report on the weekend. The daily total peaked July 15 when more than 15,000 cases were reported, but has been declining since.

RELATED: Interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Florida 

Phase two of Florida's reopening is ongoing. The following is in effect:

  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan allows for restaurants to operate with 50 percent indoor seating capacity and full capacity outdoors with appropriate social distancing. Restaurants can also allow for bar-top seating.
  • Bars, pubs, and taverns were originally allowed to operate with similar guidelines but have since been ordered to shut down, as the state has put a temporary ban on liquor sales at bars because of a rise in cases over the summer. Leaders in the industry are working to come to an agreement with the state on reopening.
  • Retail stores can currently operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols. Many chains have included social distancing signage, sanitizing stations, and limited hours in their new safety measures.
  • Amusement parks have reopened in Florida as well, all with limited capacity and enhanced safety measures to protect both park guests and employees.
  • Gyms can operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization.
  • Movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, and arcades can operate at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols, according to the 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan.
  • Barbershops, hair salons, and nail salons may operate with appropriate safety protocols.
  • Visitors are still not allowed at long-term care facilities in Florida but the Governor is working to allow this. He has assembled a task force to determine the best way to safely go about allowing visitors.
  • The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan also allows for professional sports venues to open and continue operating for games, events, competitions, and training. 
  • Both museums and libraries can operate at full capacity, the  'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery' plan states.
  • Elective surgeries can be conducted at hospitals with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols, the plan states.

Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward County are still in phase one of Florida's reopening plan. However, a recent report from the Sun-Sentinel stated that the area may soon enter phase two because of the decline in cases. This will allow for higher capacity limits at businesses and restaurants can offer bar-top service. It will also serve as an important benchmark for resuming in-person learning at schools. 

RELATED: Delta Air Lines to furlough 1,941 pilots in October, according to internal memo

Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose or mouth. 

As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment, but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have.

RELATED: Miami Dolphins to allow up to 13,000 fans at home opener

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be. If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

RELATED: Bars to remain closed for now, despite roundtable discussing reopening

Globally, there have been over 23.6 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in over 814,000 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

Below is an interactive John Hopkins University dashboard, showing a country-by-country breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases across the world.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to view the interactive John Hopkins University dashboard

Watch FOX 35 News for the latest on the pandemic