We'll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Brevard County.

Sixteen people in Brevard County, including a baby, are confirmed as being infected with the novel coronavirus, according to Friday morning's advisory from the Florida Department of Health.

The youngest confirmed case in the county is a 1-year-old baby boy.

There is a lot of information out there, and stories to tell of our communities coming together to help each other.

To help you stay informed, this story is a compilation of coronavirus-related stories published over the past week.

For symptoms to watch for, scroll to the bottom of this story

16 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Space Coast

12:18 p.m. March 27

In Brevard, there are 16 confirmed cases, an increase of two in the last 24 hours. They are 11 men and five women. Those with COVID-19 range in age from one to 76. There are zero deaths to date in the county. There are currently two hospitalizations.

Get the full story.

Brevard officials give update on coronavirus pandemic

9:59 a.m. March 27

Brevard County officials gave an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it relates to the county at 10 a.m. March 27, 2020.

Watch the video livestream.

Space Coast's sewing community mobilizes to help medical personnel

9:18 a.m. March 27

A growing movement around the country of people sewing homemade masks has reached Brevard County as the COVID-19 pandemic is causing medical facilities to run out of the N95 masks.

Individuals and groups are now forming to help mass produce masks for medical facilities of all kinds, not just hospitals.

Get the full story.

Divided Policy Group backs midday beach closings this weekend in 5-4 vote

7 p.m. March 26

A divided Brevard County Policy Group voted to close Brevard County's beaches from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday through Sunday as a way to reduce crowds and help prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus. Thursday's vote was 5-4.

Policy Group Chair Bryan Lober, who also chairs the Brevard County Commission, said the midday closings this weekend are a test to see if this process works, as well as whether the restrictions should be eliminated the following weekend, remain in place as is or be expanded.

"It's a test run," Lober said.

The measure would apply to all beach areas within Brevard — ones in city and town limits, ones in unincorporated Brevard and ones near Patrick Air Force Base.

More:Divided Policy Group backs midday beach closings this weekend in 5-4 vote

Will coronavirus stall South Patrick Shores cleanup?

3:30 p.m. March 26

The new coronavirus casts plans to clear up the suspected health threat from old, buried military waste in South Patrick Shores into uncharted waters, as federal funding priorities shift to conquering the virus, putting future environmental cleanups on unsure ground.

More:Will coronavirus stall a South Patrick Shores cleanup?

45th Space Wing increases its health protection condition

10:14 a.m. March 26

The 45th Space Wing has increased its health protection condition to HPCON Charlie in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Though there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease contracted from coronavirus, at any of the 45th Space Wing installations, which include Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, residents and community members using base services are now required to adhere to specific requirements.

Get the full story.

Special County Commission meeting scheduled Friday to address beach closing issue

8:08 a.m. March 26

A special meeting of the Brevard County Commission has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday to discuss a potential midday closing of local beaches as a way to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The meeting will be held at the Brevard County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.

Meanwhile, Cocoa Beach is poised to consider acting on its own related to beach closings if the county doesn't.

Get the full story.

Coronavirus case suspected at Collins Aerospace Melbourne facility

4:30 p.m. March 25

An employee at Collins Aerospace's Melbourne facility is suspected to have COVID-19, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

The employee has been told to self-isolate and will not return to work for 14 days, according to a Collins spokeswoman. The employee has not been tested for the virus because the employee did not meet the testing criteria.

Employees who may have been exposed to that person have been told to self-isolate at home and seek testing and treatment if they develop symptoms.

Get the full story.

Coronavirus news on the Space Coast: How to stay caught up with us on the latest developments

4:45 p.m. March 25

As the news about coronavirus in Florida continues to develop, our journalists are working to answer your questions and share important news that matters to you and your loved ones.

If you can't get out to pick up a copy of one of our newspapers, or are finding our constant updates overwhelming, we have you covered. FLORIDA TODAY has digital options to help you stay up to date on the latest local news as we continue to track the outbreak in Brevard County.

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Brevard County patrol officers watching over the streets as nation copes with coronavirus

3:512 p.m. March 25

Thousands of businesses have closed their doors across Florida. Tens of thousands of workers have been laid off. Hundreds of thousands or more are working or studying from home.

But around Brevard County, the work of local law enforcement officers continues.

Quietly.

At least so far.

Get the full story.

Kennedy Space Center still at mission-critical status as coronavirus spreads

1:53 p.m. March 25

Kennedy Space Center remained at mission-critical status on Wednesday as the coronavirus' worldwide spread continued, sharing the readiness level with about half of NASA's most prominent centers.

The spaceport stood at Stage 3 of NASA's Response Framework, which requires telework where possible and reduces on-center staffing to mission-critical operations only. Limited travel is allowed.

Because some work is allowed on KSC's biggest projects, hundreds of contractors and employees continue working at the center. A move to Stage 4 would tighten access and only allow operations that are critical to life and infrastructure.

Get the full story.

COVID-19: Brevard has 'enough' ventilators, hospitals say, but won't give numbers

1:08 p.m. March 25

Brevard hospitals are prepared to meet the needs if the county is hard hit by COVID-19, administrators and doctors say. But the specifics have proven hard to come by.

There are enough ventilators and ICU beds, Steward Health and Health First say, but have declined to disclose those numbers.

Parrish Medical Center did: if it moves equipment around and places patients in rooms not currently designated as ICU rooms, it can handle 32 critically ill patients who need help breathing, spokesperson Natalie Sellers said.

Get the full story.

Brevard schools double pick-up sites for student meals, bringing total to 27

12:18 p.m. March 25

Brevard Public Schools announced Wednesday it would double the number of sites where families could pick up meals for students during school closures.

In addition to 13 distribution sites previously announced, beginning March 30, daily free meal packages consisting of a breakfast and lunch can be picked up at 14 more schools across the county, bringing the total number of sites to 27.

Get the full story.

Sandbar boat parties on Indian River frowned upon by Brevard health officials

11:35 a.m. March 25

Last weekend, dozens of boaters partied shoulder-to-shoulder on an Indian River sandbar between Cocoa and Merritt Island — defying COVID-19 social distancing guidelines stressed by health officials.

Many younger people mistakenly believe the new coronavirus pandemic chiefly targets older folks, said Ashish Udeshi, president of the Brevard County Medical Society.

Statistics show otherwise, Udeshi pointed out after viewing photos of the partying boaters. As of Wednesday afternoon, 46% of Florida's 1,467 COVID-19 cases were people age 49 and younger, the Florida Department of Health reported.

Get the full story.

Fears drive 'unprecedented' gun and ammunition sales in Brevard County

10:15 a.m. March 25

Panic across the country as coronavirus spreads has caused people to empty store shelves in droves — clearing out everything from toilet paper to poultry.

Brevard County grocery stores aren’t the only ones selling out. Gun shops in the area have seen an "unprecedented" increase in sales, according to owners.

According to gun industry and sales website ammo.com, Florida has the second-highest volume of ammunition sales in the nation, with sales have jumping 235 percent between Feb. 23 and March 15 statewide.

Get the full story.

County Commission suspends some business fees until Sept. 1 to help during coronavirus

7:11 a.m. March 25

The Brevard County Commission this week approved a measure designed to help small businesses get through a financial downturn related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to suspend the need for businesses to pay three types of fees to the county until Sept. 1, and waived related late-payment fees.

Get the full story.

School Board grants superintendent virtually unlimited emergency spending powers

5:57 a.m. March 25

The Brevard County School Board voted Tuesday to give Superintendent Mark Mullins virtually unlimited power over the School District's purse strings if the board is unable to meet during the COVID-19 crisis.

Following a 40-minute discussion, the board voted 4-1 to grant Mullins, a non-elected official, temporary but sole authority to solicit and negotiate for services, oversee vendor contracts and authorize payments with taxpayer funds on its behalf.

Get the full story.

As Atlas V rocket preps for launch, Space Force says it's ready for coronavirus

5:30 a.m. March 25

The upcoming launch of a military communications satellite from Cape Canaveral is still on as Space Force teams contend with challenges presented by the coronavirus.

"We've prepared to continue mission-essential operations up at the Cape for launch operations," 45th Space Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess said Tuesday, noting that United Launch Alliance's Atlas V is still scheduled for a 2:57 p.m. Thursday liftoff from Launch Complex 41.

Get the full story.

Brevard County Commission rebukes policy of not holding coronavirus news conferences

10:07 p.m. March 24

The Brevard County Commission Tuesday reasserted some control over decisions made by the group handling the coronavirus response.

And — in a rebuke to Commission Chair Bryan Lober — the commission called for regular news conferences for all media featuring county emergency management officials and health officials.

Get the full story.

Brevard County hospitals temporarily ban almost all visitors due to COVID-19

8:24 p.m. March 24

Brevard County hospitals have banned almost all visitors as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread.

Get the full story.

County holds off on decision for midday closing of Brevard's beaches due to coronavirus

7:43 p.m. March 24

In their first news conference related to the coronavirus pandemic in three weeks, Brevard County officials said they considered but for now decided against a midday closure of Space Coast beaches as a way to guard against the spread of the virus.

So the Brevard County Policy Group that is working on coronavirus response wants to take a wait-and-see approach to any added beach access restrictions.

Get the full story.

Online classes safe as school district, teachers union agree on terms

4:54 p.m. March 24

Brevard Public Schools and the Brevard Federation of Teachers took just three hours to reach agreement at the bargaining table Tuesday, shoring up the school district's plan for online learning and laying a clear path forward if and when students return to the classroom.

Union President Anthony Colucci said last week new contract terms were needed before the union could support the district's remote instruction plan, prompted by school closures amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Get the full story.

Covid-19 from a restaurant worker's perspective: We are going to get through this together

4:51 p.m. March 24

In this business, because of the mental and emotional stress that working to solely make other people happy creates, you develop a love/hate relationship. Difficult guests, long hours, missed holidays ... it is demanding and it gets tough.

But this last week has been the toughest in my 22-year career.

Get the full story.

Seniors flock to special shopping hours to find long lines — and TP still mostly wiped out

4:10 p.m. March 24

They lined up before sunrise by the hundreds, like people did in the '70s for rock concert tickets — but these 60-and-older folks were waiting on coronavirus-inspired "senior shopping hours" across Brevard County.

Early-morning hours just for those 60 to 65 and older started this week at retailers including Lakeland-based Publix, Walmart and Dollar General, in an effort to allow older, more susceptible customers time to shop when it's less crowded.

But within an hour or two of the first day for senior shopping at Publix and Walmart, Tuesday, disappointed reports peppered social media: jammed parking lots. Long lines. Shelves not stocked well enough with the piece de resistance in a COVID-19 world: toilet paper. People not only not social distancing, but crowding onto each other's heels.

Get the full story.

Palm Bay mayor calls for city manager's resignation over COVID-19 communications

1:22 p.m. March 24

Palm Bay Mayor William Capote has requested City Manager Lisa Morrell's resignation, citing communications during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

In a Monday "no confidence" letter, Capote said it is imperative that Palm Bay's city manager provide information and reports to the City Council and the public during the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, I have found the dissemination of information to the public to be atrocious," Capote wrote.

Get the full story.

County considers midday closing of Brevard's beaches due to coronavirus

1:06 p.m. March 24

Brevard County officials are considering closing local beaches during midday hours as a way to guard against the spread of the coronavirus.

The Brevard County Policy Group will consider the proposal during its meeting at 4 p.m. today, after hearing recommendations from the Space Coast League of Cities, which represents Brevard's 16 cities and towns.

The Policy Group on Monday began discussing the issue of potentially closing the county's beaches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Get the full story.

Live-streamed 'Space Coast Quarantine Fest' to raise funds for students in need

12:02 p.m. March 24

It started as a small idea: Get a few local bands organized to stream on Facebook. A week ago, Matt Corpiel started reaching out to his musician friends.

The response was overwhelming.

"I didn't realize how big it would get," Corpiel laughed."There's nothing else going on. Why didn't I think this was going to gain traction? I was like 'oh, it must be a tiny little fest.'"

What started as a tiny little fest for a few bands has grown into the Space Coast Quarantine Fest, a 9-hour live-streamed music festival featuring Brevard bands on Sunday, March 29 from noon to 9 p.m.

Get the full story.

'Space Force' name changed postponed for Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral AFS due to coronavirus

11:24 p.m. March 24

Amid the coronavirus outbreak that has infected over 390,000 people worldwide, Space Force officials have delayed renaming Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to "Patrick Space Force Base" and "Cape Canaveral Space Force Station."

No date has been set for the renaming, the 45th Space Wing told FLORIDA TODAY Tuesday.

Get the full story.

Space Coast officials criticize Brevard County coronavirus messaging

7:05 p.m. March 23

Unlike in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee and other Florida counties where news briefings about the coronavirus threat are common, the flow of information in Brevard County from local officials has been conspicuous by its infrequency and seeming lack of urgency.

On Monday, the county’s first real news conference in 20 days was held, with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Brevard County Public Safety Director Matthew Wallace. Some media, like FLORIDA TODAY, appear not to have been invited.

For those that were, the sheriff used the opportunity to announce a series of "drive-by parades" around the Space Coast geared for families, where people could stay in their cars and drive past big firetrucks and deputies' vehicles.

Get the full story.

To provide our community with important public safety information, FLORIDA TODAY is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber at cm.floridatoday.com/specialoffer.

Coronavirus shopping: Why your brain makes you hoard and how to fix it

7:51 a.m. March 24

While COVID-19 clearly has the potential to be devastating to us, both physically and economically, my concern is that it might be having its most stealth-like effect upon our emotional lives.

Our brains are hardwired to respond to threat and uncertainty by shutting down the logical prefrontal cortex and activating the amygdala, which is the fear-threat mode of the brain.

When the amygdala is activated, we are in survival mode and will do almost anything to control the situation and feel safe.

Get the full story.

Coronavirus raises concerns among Brevard funeral directors for remembering the dead

4:42 p.m. March 23

The coronavirus is now changing how the living remembers the dead.

Across Florida and the nation, where the struggles with the novel coronavirus have led to drastic changes in nearly every facet of daily living, funeral homes are reporting new guidelines in how they hold memorials or services for the deceased.

It also means limiting the number of loved ones who might come to a gathering - or visit the homes of mourners - to pay final respects across cultural and religious lines. Even traditional beachside paddle-outs for surfers could face delays.

Get the full story.

NASA astronauts give tips on handling isolation amid coronavirus outbreak

3:36 p.m. March 23

Need some tips on how to survive — and thrive — while you are physically cut off from the rest of the world?

Who better to turn to than astronauts?

Astronauts, who venture into the dark abyss of space, know a thing or two about isolation, especially those who spend months aboard the International Space Station.

"COVID-19 gives us a very higher purpose, much like being in space does," retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson said on CBS This Morning on Monday. "Because we are saving lives by quarantining. And so it is important to understand that bigger purpose and to embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing to put up with the situation."

Get the full story.

Employee at Kennedy Space Center tests positive for coronavirus

10:58 a.m. March 23

Kennedy Space Center's first positive coronavirus case was confirmed Monday, though officials believe circumstances surrounding the exposure likely mean the employee was not on-center when contagious.

Tracy Young, a spokesperson for KSC, said employees were notified Sunday that a KSC team member tested positive for COVID-19.

KSC is currently operating at "Stage 3" of NASA's Response Framework, which means mandatory telework, limited center access to mission-essential personnel, and limited travel.

Get the full story here

Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Contagion

Cities with COVID-19 cases include Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville

6:50 a.m. March 23

An expanded state government database of coronavirus cases in Florida shows the there have been cases reported in four Brevard County communities.

The Florida Department of Health database says there were three cases reported in Melbourne, two cases in Titusville, and one case each in Indian Harbour Beach and Palm Bay.

Until now, the state had been reporting case locations only on a county-by-county level, rather than city-by-city.

Get the full story here.

Sebastian Inlet State Park now closed

6:29 a.m. March 23

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is shutting the state’s 175 parks — including Sebastian Inlet State Park — to reduce the potential spreading of the coronavirus.

The move, announced late Sunday, came at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis to uphold recent social distancing guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control.

All state parks will be closed indefinitely beginning March 23.

Get the full story here.

Coronavirus forces NASA to delay work on massive SLS rocket and Orion capsule

10:18 p.m. March 22

NASA has paused work on its massive Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, jeopardizing NASA stated goal of returning Americans to the moon by 2024.

The agency made the move due to confirmed coronavirus cases in and around the centers hosting related operations, the NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said late Thursday.

Get the full story here.

Curbside food pickup zones coming to downtown Melbourne, Cocoa Village

11:02 a.m.

Officials in Cocoa and Melbourne were working Thursday to designate curbside food pickup zones so customers can grab orders from nearby restaurants.

The zones are intended to boost flagging sales as the new coronavirus pandemic takes a financial toll on Space Coast eateries. Some have closed, while others have shuttered dining rooms and switched to offering takeout and deliveries.

Get the full story here.

Cash collection stopped on Florida toll roads

8:44 a.m.

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is suspending cash collection for tolls on Florida roads, shifting to license plate tolling, known as Pay by Plate.

The change went into effect at 8 a.m. March 19.

The temporary suspension was made to reduce the potential exposure of both drivers and employees from the COVID-19 virus.

Drivers who normally pay cash at toll booths will continue to pay the cash rate and will receive a Pay by Plate billing statement in the mail for tolls incurred.

Read the full story here.

What will happen with shelter pets during coronavirus outbreak?

7:30 a.m.

As the coronavirus spreads, some Brevardians could decide a new family pet makes sense, local shelter officials said, or others might give up their pets at shelters, fearing they won't be able to take care of them if they lose their job or get sick. The virus also could stress the finances of nonprofits such as SPCA and the Humane Society, as families make tough choices about spending.

The Humane Society of Brevard expects more people to give up their pets.

"We're anticipating a higher number of surrenders, unfortunately," said Kristin Collins, office manager for the Humane Society of Brevard.

More:Updated: These Space Coast restaurants are offering curbside pickup or delivery

Collins said the Humane Society already has been taking in more pets than it has been able to adopt out. The Humane Society temporarily closed its Merritt Island adoption center, she said, to limit traffic coming in to its adoption center in Cocoa, in case people call in sick, so that they will have enough people to care for the animals.

Get the full story here.

Brevard beachside parks, public parking areas to be closed for coronavirus prevention

11:08 p.m. Wednesday

Brevard County is closing beachside parks and beachside public parking areas along the county's 72-mile shoreline, in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The plan calls for all county beachside parks, municipal beachside parks and Patrick Air Force Base beachside parks — as well as beachside public parking access of the county, municipalities and Patrick Air Force Base — to be closed, beginning Thursday.

The closings will be completed by 8 a.m. Friday.

More:Coronavirus updates in sports: ACC and SEC cancel spring slate; Kentucky Derby, French Open postponed

An earlier county news release indicated that only the parking areas would be affected.

But an official proclamation that later was issued indicated that the parks themselves also are included in the order.

Get the full story here.

Schools are closed for a month. What does it mean for Brevard families?

6:33 p.m. Wednesday

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that Florida public schools would be closed until April 15, leaving families confused and uncertain about what to expect.

Assistant Superintendent Matt Reed on Wednesday told FLORIDA TODAY "remote instruction" would begin March 30.

The specifics of how classes would work are still developing, he said.

District officials have "put in some serious work" to make sure all families have access to online materials, Reed said.

Many Brevard schools already have stockpiles of internet-ready devices like laptops, he said. The district is working out a way to get those to families that don't already have access to a computer in the home.

Get the full story here.

Tax collector, property appraiser closing offices to the public due to coronavirus

Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen and Property Appraiser Dana Blickley both will be closing their offices to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Get the full story here.

Brevard schools will offer free student meals during closures

Brevard Public Schools announced that, beginning March 23, it will begin offering free meals to children 18 years and younger to offset the gap in services due to school closures.

From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, families can visit one of 12 pick-up sites at schools around the county to receive daily meal packages consisting of one breakfast meal and one lunch per child, said Nicki Hensley, a school district spokeswoman.

Get the full story here.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to offer virtual activities for students

Despite shutting its doors amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering free, online content for children while they are not in school during this time.

Designed for elementary, middle and high school students, the education team at the visitor complex will share daily Facebook Live video experiences, beginning at 9:30 a.m. for younger students and 1 p.m. for older students Monday through Friday, as well as at-home activities.

Get the full story here.

What are symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people don't have any symptoms at all. The most common symptoms resemble the flu and include fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some people also develop aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

About 1 in 6 people becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing, according to the World Health Organization. If you experience fever, cough and shortness of breath, call your doctor.

Symptoms may appear anywhere between two to 14 days after exposure, with the average patient seeing onset at around five days, according to the CDC.