COVID-19 live updates: Here’s what to know in South Florida on December 2

We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state. Check back for updates throughout the day.

After topping a million, Florida adds nearly 10,000 more COVID-19 cases and 97 deaths

4:45 p.m.: A day after hitting the million-case milestone, Florida added nearly 10,000 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The state on Wednesday reported 9,994 new infections, to bring the known total to 1,018,160. Florida also announced 97 coronavirus-related resident deaths, bringing the resident toll to 18,776.

Read the story here.

Miami Beach COVID-19 relief grants for film and print projects available

1:30 p.m.: Miami Beach has been the film set for many Hollywood productions. From James Bond’s “Goldfinger” and a couple Frank Sinatra “Tony Rome” detective features in the ‘60s to “Miami Vice” and a bit of “Scarface” in the ‘80s. In more recent times there’s been “The Crew” with Burt Reynolds and buddies and Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s “Bad Boys” features and TV’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Not to mention home base for rakontur studios, the team behind documentaries like the new HBO film, “537 Votes.”

But for various reasons, it’s been tough of late. The pandemic is no help.

On Wednesday, the city said it is hoping to welcome back the film and print industry by announcing the availability of up to $10,000 in COVID-19 relief grants for film and print projects that shine a spotlight on the Beach.

“Despite the challenges the film and print industries have faced as a result of the pandemic, many have continued to work, employ and invest in Miami Beach,” Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales said in a statement. “We hope this grant helps alleviate some of the expenses they’ve incurred to keep everyone safe.”

The Film Relief Grant will be administered on a reimbursement basis and requires proof and purpose of expenses. Applicants can apply for a one-time grant, of up to $10,000, to mitigate the costs of adhering to new COVID-19 safety and sanitation guidelines for permitted film and print activation taking place in Miami Beach between June 8, 2020 and Dec. 20, 2020.

For information and instructions on how to apply, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/filmcovidgrant.

CDC decides which groups of at-risk people will get first COVID vaccines

11:05 a.m.: The process of rationing the first doses of the coronavirus vaccines is underway as a federal advisory group recommended that when Florida and other states receive their first shipment it “should be offered to both healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.”

The guidelines were approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as the federal government prepares to distribute the first of an estimated 20 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Read the story here.

South Florida hospitalizations surge again as state COVID cases top a million

11 a.m.: Nearly nine months out from when Florida confirmed its first COVID-19 case, some of the state’s largest public hospital networks are managing a late fall resurgence of the virus that has health leaders extending contracts for out-of-state nurses.

South Florida hospitals say they are cautiously optimistic they can continue to care for increasing numbers of COVID patients without scaling back non-emergency medical procedures, even as a surge that has built since early November intensifies and the state eclipses 1 million COVID-19 cases, the third-highest tally in the nation behind Texas and California.

Read the story here.

Gloria Estefan tested positive for COVID. Miami singer has a health message

10:20 a.m.: Gloria Estefan posted on her Instagram page a five-minute video taken inside her Miami recording studio. She told fans that she tested positive for COVID-19 in early November. She’s sharing her story now because she wants to spread the message to “wear your mask” and take care of your immune system with health lifestyle practices.

Read the story here.

Health report: Why obesity can make COVID so difficult

10 a.m.: Arlette Perry, a professor of clinical exercise physiology in the Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Department at the University of Miami, is worried that as talks have focused on vaccines and the politicization of wearing a mask, one major health factor has been overlooked: Obesity.

Obesity — defined as a body mass index figure of 30 or greater in most people — can contribute to significantly worse outcomes from COVID-19.

“The bottom line: Americans are actually fighting two pandemics: the COVID-19 pandemic and the obesity pandemic that makes it more difficult to fight off and survive COVID,” Perry said.

Read the report here.