Coronavirus in Jacksonville: Live updates for Monday, May 11
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6:40 p.m. | City of St. Augustine cancels July Fourth fireworks; show could be held at a later date
St. Augustine commissioners decided to cancel July Fourth fireworks and possibly have the fireworks at a later date because of the COVID-19 threat. | Read more
5 p.m. | Epic Theatres of St. Augustine announces drive-in lineup
Epic Theatres of St. Augustine begins showing films again this week, now under the stars.
The St. Johns County theater announced the start of its drive-in lineup, which begins Monday. | Read more
4:50 p.m. | White House recommends tests for all nursing home residents
With deaths mounting at the nation’s nursing homes, the White House strongly recommended to governors Monday that all residents and staff at such facilities be tested for the coronavirus in the next two weeks.
“We really believe that all 1 million nursing home residents need to be tested within next two weeks as well as the staff,” Dr. Deborah Birx said. | Read more
3:45 p.m. | Regency Square Mall reopens to shoppers
Shoppers are being welcomed back to Regency Square Mall, which has reopened after shopping centers statewide were closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The shopping center at 9501 Regency Square Blvd. has reopened, Mason Asset Management and Namdar Realty Group said in a Monday news release. | Read more
2:55 p.m. | More kids fall ill to mysterious Kawasaki-like disease as officials test for coronavirus
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a plan to test all children with symptoms of a rare inflammatory condition for the coronavirus and its antibodies as dozens of cases have been identified across the country.
In New York City, at least 38 children are sick and one has died from the mystery illness that doctors say share similar symptoms with Kawasaki Disease. Almost all have tested positive for coronavirus or the antibodies that reflect exposure to the virus. | Read more
2:45 p.m. | Source: MLB owners approve plan to start season in July
Major League Baseball owners gave the go-ahead Monday to making a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a plan that envisioned expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020.
Spring training would start in early to mid-June, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. | Read more
2:45 p.m. | Florida bar exam to go ahead in July despite COVID-19 fears
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, more than 1,000 people will take this July’s two-day bar exam after the Florida Board of Bar Examiners recently announced its decision to move forward with the twice-yearly exam. | Read more
2:10 p.m. | St. Augustine launches mask program for businesses
In an effort to help with COVID-19 recovery, the city of St. Augustine launched a program today to allow representatives of businesses operating in the city to buy masks directly from the city. | Read more
1:55 p.m. | Citing coronavirus, Florida Tech drops football, leaving questions for area athletes
Florida Tech canceled its football program Monday, throwing the plans of dozens of athletes — including several from the Jacksonville area — into limbo.
The Melbourne-based college, which competes in the Gulf South Conference within NCAA Division II, pointed to financial strains from the coronavirus pandemic as the chief cause for the decision. | Read more
11:55 a.m.: Florida’s new cases, new hospitalizations fewest since April
Updated coronavirus figures from the state continued to show lower rates for both new positive tests and new hospitalizations in Monday’s report from the Florida Department of Health.
Northeast Florida also showed only slight increases, with 11 new cases compared to Sunday’s report. | Read more
Statewide
Hospitalizations: 7,224
Deaths: 1,735
Cases in Northeast Florida
Duval: 1,171
Clay: 302
St. Johns: 222
Nassau: 61
Baker: 25
Putnam: 127
11:40 a.m. | Inspections, citations, recalls slashed: Coronavirus is testing America’s food safety net
Foodborne illness investigations have slowed and food recalls have plummeted to their lowest levels in years because of disruptions in America’s multi-layered food safety system caused by the novel coronavirus, a USA TODAY investigation found.
The pandemic struck the system at every level — from the federal agencies tasked with stopping contaminated food before it leaves farms and factories to the state health departments that test sick residents for foodborne illnesses like E. coli. | Read more
11:30 a.m. | Audits spotted flaws in jobless aid system that went unfixed
Florida officials have known about the problems for years.
The agency’s critics now point to four audits by the state’s Auditor General dating back to 2013 as evidence of systemic bureaucratic ineptitude and disregard for the needy. | Read more
11:25 a.m. | Farm Share to distribute free fresh produce, canned goods
Farm Share will distribute free food at 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in North Jacksonville.
The drive-thru-only event will be at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 3738 Winton Drive. Each recipient must arrive in a vehicle that has a trunk or cargo bed. | Read more
11 a.m. | White House adopts new safety precautions as coronavirus moves closer to Trump’s inner circle
With coronavirus exposure arriving in the West Wing, the White House is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of the president and his staff after two administration aides tested positive for the coronavirus.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be tested daily for the virus, as will every staff member in close proximity to them. | Read more
9 a.m. | Cruise lines plan restart, but CDC has not lifted no-sail order
Despite a no-sail order effective through July 24 issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three largest cruise lines — Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean — have each announced plans to return to the high seas this summer.
Carnival announced plans to set sail on August 1. However, Norwegian said it plans to return July 1, and Royal Caribbean even earlier on June 12 — before the no sail order expires. | Read more
8:55 a.m. | Shanghai Disneyland reopens with anti-virus controls
Visitors in face masks streamed into Shanghai Disneyland as the theme park reopened Monday in a high-profile step toward reviving tourism that was shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.
The House of Mouse’s experience in Shanghai, the first of its parks to reopen, foreshadows hurdles global entertainment industries might face. | Read more
EARLIER:
Duval County again saw a double-digit increase in confirmed coronavirus cases in Sunday’s daily report from the Florida Department of Health, while the state day-to-day death toll saw its smallest increase since March.
The county’s COVID-19 case total rose to 1,164, an increase of 30 from the Saturday report. That report, in turn, had increased by 46 from Friday.
Statewide
Hospitalizations: 7,171
Deaths: 1,721
Cases in Northeast Florida
Duval: 1,164
Clay: 299
St. Johns: 222
Nassau: 60
Baker: 25
Putnam: 126 | Read more
Reopening Jacksonville: Hair, nail salons and barber shops ready for customers
Jacksonville hair, nail salons and barber shops spent the weekend preparing to reopen Monday under social distancing and other regulations intended to reduce exposure to the coronavirus.
Gov. Ron DeSantis last Friday announced those establishments — which DeSantis had previously ordered closed beginning April 1 — could reopen effective Monday. | Read more
COVID-19 testing expanded in St. Johns County to people with no symptoms
St. Johns County has expanded its drive-thru testing at the Florida Department of Health office in St. Augustine. | Read more
Map of coronavirus cases and deaths in the U.S.
Life-or-death cases fall heaviest on Duval County’s black residents
The coronavirus has taken a disproportionate toll on black Duval County residents who account for 47 percent of hospitalizations and 45 percent of deaths from the virus. | Read more
St. Augustine Beach Lt. Dan Carswell overcame a near-death bout with COVID-19
Dan Carswell returned to work this week with a new appreciation for life.
Six weeks ago, the 39-year-old St. Augustine Beach police lieutenant was on his death bed fighting for his life against a severe case of COVID-19. | Read more
U.S. approves new antigen test with fast results
U.S. regulators have approved a new type of coronavirus test that administration officials have promoted as a key to opening up the country. | Read more
UFC 249′s opening bout revives Jacksonville sports scene
Ryan Spann’s split decision victory against Sam Alvey opened UFC 249 as sports returned to Jacksonville Saturday evening. | Read more
Tracking the spread of coronavirus cases in the US and worldwide
Coronavirus in Jacksonville: Answers to your questions
Readers across the First Coast have questions about the COVID-19 outbreak. Now, the Times-Union has some answers. | Read more
Many restaurants remain open for take-out, delivery
Looking to support local businesses staying open during the coronavirus pandemic? Want a meal or a drink to take home?
Many restaurants in the Jacksonville area area offering takeout, curbside or drive-thru options to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. | Read more
Acts of kindness, good deeds, how area residents are helping others
When times are tough, Jacksonville’s people come through for each other.
While it’s important to read the latest news about coronavirus, it’s also good for us to read about the good deeds, the random acts of kindness and the stories about people helping those around them. These stories are sure to make you smile or inspire you on ways you give back to your community. | Read more
Testing site locations in Duval and Northeast Florida
More COVID-19 testing sites have recently opened - and more will soon open.
We’ll keep a list here of all testing sites for Jacksonville, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Putnam counties. | Read more
Laid off? 7 steps to take, and phone calls to make, now
The laid-off line cook was confused and tearful as she pondered the sudden loss of her $400-a-week job at a Lake Worth Beach restaurant.
Economists expect the crippling shutdown to put hundreds of thousands of Floridians — and millions of Americans — out of work. Mortgage lenders and others are stepping in to offer assistance. | Read more
Stimulus check: Calculate how much money you could get
The U.S. Senate approved a sweeping $2 trillion stimulus package that aims to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
People who are still working, those who are unemployed, those who are self-employed and contractors would all benefit. Businesses also stand to get financial assistance to avoid closing down or laying off employees because of the economic effect of the pandemic. | Read more
Ticket Tracker: What’s canceled, postponed, rescheduled or still on?
Dozens of concerts were canceled due to the coronavirus — and more might still be coming — but many now have new dates. | Read more
FAQ: Coronavirus
Coronavirus is spreading in the U.S. Here's everything to know, from symptoms to how to protect yourself. [USA TODAY]
Worried about the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Here is what you should be aware of, from symptoms to best practices for avoiding the disease, including what you should do if you suspect you have contracted coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | Read more