A Gift for Teaching’s Pencil Boy’s Express is back on school campuses after being on pause due to COVID-19.

In this undated photo courtesy of the Heath family, Matthew Heath is seen at his mother's home in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Heath family via AP)MEDELLIN – “Don’t WORRY!,” reads the cryptic note scribbled on a scrap of perforated paper smuggled out of a dank, basement cellblock. Now, for the first time, Heath’s family in Knoxville, Tennessee is breaking its silence. Like Heath's family, he believes the American innocently entered Venezuela in the hopes of catching up with his boat. Heath’s family doesn’t know what led him to cross into Venezuela.

ORLANDO, Fla. – As both presidential candidates make last-ditch efforts to win Florida with events and rallies zigzagging across the state coronavirus looms large across the country amid a national increase in cases. Of those, more than 2,300 were reported on Sunday by the Florida Department of Health. With COVID-19 cases surging in the United States, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows acknowledged that the Trump administration can’t stop the spread and is focusing instead on getting a vaccine. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 2,385 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s overall total to 778,636 cases since March. As of Sunday’s coronavirus report, 16,632 deaths across the state have been related to the coronavirus, a number that includes 203 non-resident deaths in Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hours after President Donald Trump cast his 2020 ballot in Florida Saturday the state reported more than 4,400 new coronavirus cases. The total U.S. caseload reported on the site Friday was 83,757, topping the 77,362 cases reported on July 16. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida health officials report over 3,000 new COVID-19 cases as early voting continues]Below is a breakdown of the most recent data provided by the Department of Health. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 4,471 new cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s overall total to 776,251 cases since March. As of Saturday’s coronavirus report, 16,620 deaths across the state have been related to the coronavirus, a number that includes 203 non-resident deaths in Florida.

[READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases since Sept. 1]Below is a breakdown of the most recent data provided by the Department of Health. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 3,689 new cases on Friday, bringing the state’s overall total to 771,780 cases since March. DeathsThe Florida Department of Health on Friday reported 74 people have recently died from COVID-19. HospitalizationsCurrently, there are 2,117 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. [SEE YESTERDAY’S REPORT: South Florida reports rising COVID-19 infections in schools as state reports 3,662 new cases]If you are having trouble viewing the dashboard on mobile, click here.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida health officials announced Thursday the highest number of coronavirus cases reported in a single day since Sept. 1 with more than 5,500 new COVID-19 cases. The news comes after Florida health officials held off releasing their normal coronavirus update Wednesday. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 5,558 new cases on Thursday, bringing the state’s overall total to 768,091 cases since March. The last time Florida reported new cases of this size was more than a month ago on Sept. 1 with more than 7,500 new cases. It’s important to note the DOH reported more coronavirus cases Thursday but also reported a larger amount of overall tests.

On Wednesday, however, hours went by after 11 a.m. with no update, prompting concern from the public about transparency and potential changes in reported COVID-19 information to the public. The state released the full list of deaths reported to the state Wednesday and when the DOH was first informed of their positive coronavirus test. Timely and accurate data remains a top priority of the Department of Health," Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said in a statement. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 2,145 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the state’s overall total to 762,533 cases since March. DeathsThe Florida Department of Health on Wednesday reported 105 people have recently died from COVID-19.

She said parents received robocalls from the school informing them of positive cases on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The dashboard listed 9 staff and 11 students who have tested positive since Oct. 9. The two South Florida school districts were the last in the state to let students choose to return to classrooms. HospitalizationsThe state reported 227 new hospitalizations on Tuesday, meaning the state has seen a total of 47,352 patients admitted into a hospital since March in relation to COVID-19. Currently, there are 2,072 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration.

On Monday, Florida Department of Health officials reported 1,707 new cases of the respiratory illness with the 2020 election a little more than three weeks away. Below is a breakdown of the latest coronavirus numbers in Florida:CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 1,707 new cases on Monday, bringing the state’s overall total to 756,727. As of Monday’s coronavirus report, 16,222 deaths across the state have been related to the coronavirus, a number that includes 201 non-resident deaths in Florida. State health officials have always maintained that virus fatalities are often delayed in being reported to the FDOH, with some deaths not reported for a month or more. [SEE YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida health officials report over 2,000 new cases of COVID-19]If you are having trouble viewing the dashboard on mobile, click here.

To close out the weekend, Florida health officials announced over 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, Oct. 17. Health officials said Halloween will undoubtedly look different this year but won’t be canceled altogether. Health officials said individually wrapped goodie bags lined up in yards for families to grab and go is considered a moderate risk. | Florida head coach tests positive]CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 2,539 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s overall total to 755,020. [SEE YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida health officials report 4,000 new cases, 87 new deaths related to COVID-19]If you are having trouble viewing the dashboard on mobile, click here.

Below is the information provided by the Florida Department of Health for Saturday, Oct. 17. CasesThe department of health reported 4,044 new cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s overall total to 752,481. DeathsThe Florida Department of Health on Saturday reported 87 people have recently died from COVID-19. As of Saturday’s report, 16,117 deaths across the state have been related to the coronavirus, a number that includes 200 non-resident deaths in Florida. State health officials have always maintained that virus fatalities are often delayed in being reported to the FDOH, with some deaths not reported for a month or more.

Crowds, crowds and more crowds are on the ticket for Friday and into the weekend. | President Trump returning to Central Florida]In Daytona Beach, Biketoberfest is underway and expected to draw a crowd. All of these events come as the Florida Department of Health announces more positive cases in Florida and as the CDC warns the public that large groups aren’t the only risk for spreading COVID-19. | President Trump returning to Central Florida]Below is the information provided by the Florida Department of Health for Friday, Oct. 16. CasesThe department of health reported 3,449 new cases on Friday, bringing the state’s overall total to 748,437.

The festival comes as more cases of COVID-19 have been reported throughout the Sunshine State. CasesThe department of health reported 3,356 new cases on Thursday, bringing the state’s overall total to 744,988. DeathsThe Florida Department of Health on Thursday reported 144 people have recently died from COVID-19. HospitalizationsThe state reported 211 new hospitalizations on Thursday, meaning the state has seen a total of 46,693 patients admitted into a hospital since March in relation to COVID-19. Currently, there are 2,130 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration.

Meanwhile, Olympia High School students and staff returned to the classrooms Monday after a two-week campus shutdown. Nearly 1,000 students quickly transitioned to online learning after several cases of COVID-19 were detected on campus earlier this month. The district has closed the campus on account of confirmed coronavirus cases. [SEE SUNDAY’S REPORT: 2,521 new COVID-19 cases reported in Florida]Here are three things to know for Sept. 21. Meantime, Olympia High School students returned to the classroom after an in-person learning hiatus.

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Sunday the Florida Department of Health announced 2,521 new cases of the coronavirus in the state. The new cases of the respiratory illness bring the state total to 683,754 since the pandemic was first detected in March. The FDOH reported 10 new deaths Sunday, bringing the state’s death toll from the pandemic to 13,459. Data from COVID-19 related deaths is often delayed and new deaths can take up to two weeks to report, according to health officials. [SEE SATURDAY’S REPORT: Florida health officials report over 3,573 new cases of COVID-19, 140 new hospitalizations]Here are three things to know for Sept. 20.

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Saturday the Florida Department of Health announced 3,573 new cases of the coronavirus in the state. The new cases of the respiratory illness bring the state total to 681,233 since the pandemic was first detected in March. Recent deaths from COVID-19 across Central Florida made up 8 out of the 62 new fatalities reported across the state. Data from COVID-19 related deaths is often delayed and new deaths can take up to two weeks to report, according to health officials. [SEE FRIDAY’S REPORT: Florida reports more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases, 140 new deaths]Here are two things to know about the virus for Sept. 19.

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Floridians prepare to clock out and enjoy the weekend, health officials on Friday announced 3,204 new cases of the coronavirus in Florida. The new cases of the respiratory illness bring the state total to 677,660 since the pandemic was first detected in March. The Florida Department of Health reported 140 new deaths Friday, bringing the state’s death toll from the pandemic to 13,387. Recent deaths from COVID-19 across Central Florida made up 24 out of the 140 new fatalities reported across the state. Data from COVID-19 related deaths is often delayed and new deaths can take up to two weeks to report, according to health officials.

The University of Central Florida on Wednesday suspended a sorority and a fraternity for violating the schools COVID-19 policies. The Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity placed the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) and the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) on interim organizational suspension. SAE was placed on interim suspension for allegedly hosting a large social gathering off campus that willfully disregarded the universitys COVID-19 policies and guidelines, officials added. According to the letter to sent the Zeta Tau Alpha chapter, hosted an event on Sept. 1 at the sorority house. [RELATED: Labor Day parties, increase in COVID-19 student cases prompts warning from UCF to students]According to a news release, 15 of the schools 100-plus isolation rooms are currently in use.