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Coronavirus in Jacksonville: Live blog for Thursday, June 4

The Times-Union
Florida Times-Union

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Coronavirus: 33 new cases in Duval and 11 in Putnam County

The Florida Department of Health recorded 41 new coronavirus related deaths and 1,419 new COVID-19 cases statewide Thursday.

The department’s online dashboard now lists a death toll of 32 for Clay County, along with 100 for the Northeast Florida region and 2,607 for the state of Florida.

Duval County’s positive testing rate remains “within target range,” according to the department, sitting at 2.9 percent. This follows a jump last week from 1.5 percent. Statewide, the positive rate remains at 5.4 percent testing positive for COVID-19.

Statewide hospitalizations increased by 127 cases to 10,652.

Statewide

Cases: 60,183

Hospitalizations: 10,652

Deaths: 2,607

Cases in Northeast Florida

Duval: 1,702

Clay: 394

St. Johns: 267

Nassau: 82

Baker: 29

Putnam: 165

Deaths in Northeast Florida

Duval: 51

Clay: 32

St. Johns: 6

Nassau: 1

Baker: 4

Putnam: 6 | Read more

Earlier:

3:40 p.m.: Lot J test site in Jacksonville expands free antibody testing to all adults

The Lot J test site next to TIAA Bank Field has begun offering free antibody tests to all adults interested in finding out if they previously had the COVID-19 virus infection. | Read more

3:37 p.m.: First Coast courts to test alternatives to in-person jury trials

Duval County court officials hope to conduct a trial over Zoom by late July. A state panel picked both the 4th and 7th Judicial Circuits, which include the Jacksonville area and its suburbs, as sites for pilot projects to find a “safer alternative” to going to court. | Read more

3:16 p.m. Florida parade honors Cora Tyson’s 97th birthday amid coronavirus

The surprise event celebrated the birthday of the woman who provided shelter to Martin Luther King Jr. | Read more

1:58 p.m. | Coronavirus: Duval Schools publishes survey results about reopening schools

In survey results published by Duval County Public Schools Thursday afternoon, the majority of students said they were “most comfortable going back to school with classmates full time,” while parents and teachers indicated they wanted to continue online learning until it was safe to return. | Read more

1:31 p.m. | Reopening Jacksonville: Mayor clears high school sports to resume workouts June 15

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced that high school sports in Duval County can resume workouts on June 15 after nearly three months out because of the coronavirus pandemic. | Read more

12:52 p.m. | COVID-19 won’t snuff out Jacksonville’s Fourth of July fireworks show

Mayor Lenny Curry said Thursday the city will have annual Fourth of July fireworks show but it will be at more locations than downtown. | Read more

11 a.m. | State fails to explain why some unemployed not getting $600 weekly federal supplement

The guaranteed federal unemployment supplement is supposed to go to anyone who qualifies for unemployment. So, why isn’t it? Read more

10:30 a.m. A coronavirus vaccine could require you to get two shots. Here’s why.

A vaccine against the coronavirus may not be as simple as one jab and you’re immune. There’s a high likelihood an eventual vaccine will require a two-dose series, a month or so apart, with the possibility of a booster several years later, adding to the complexity and cost of administration and distribution. | Read more

10:29 a.m. Coronavirus: Lot J test site in Jacksonville expands free antibody testing to all adults

The Lot J test site next to TIAA Bank Field has begun offering free antibody tests to all adults interested in finding out if they previously had the COVID-19 virus infection. | Read more

9:06 a.m. 1.9 million seek jobless aid even as reopenings slow layoffs

Though applications for benefits are slowing, the latest weekly number is still more than double the record high that prevailed before the viral outbreak. | Read more

Coverage in the last 24 hours:

8:56 p.m. | Restarting FAMU: Reduced dorm occupancy, smaller classes, mandatory masks

FAMU’s proposed plan for reopening this fall after the coronavirus upended campus life places a strong focus on health precautions. That includes changes in dorm life, classroom instruction and campus access. | Read more

Pro soccer season one to remember for Chelsea Burns after title chase, coronavirus challenge

St. Johns Country Day school graduate Chelsea Burns is back in Jacksonville after her first season of professional soccer in Europe was cut short by the coronavirus. | Read more

Cinema chain AMC warns it may not survive the coronavirus pandemic

Even when theaters reopen, AMC says it may still have problems if entertainment companies delay releasing new films. | Read more

DeSantis moves most of Florida into Phase 2 reopening

The change will take effect Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, speaking at the partial reopening of Universal Studios in Orlando. | Read more

Jacksonville research center to conduct clinical trials for vaccine

The first trials are likely to begin in Jacksonville in about six weeks. | Read more

Jacksonville-based Dolphin Pointe pivots from nursing home to ‘safe haven’ for COVID-19 patients

When Dolphin Pointe Health Care was scheduled to open, it was going to be a skilled nursing center. The coronavirus pandemic changed everything. | Read more

Duval Schools sets graduation ceremony dates

Duval County Public Schools continues to nail down in-person graduation ceremony dates amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the school district announced ceremony dates school-by-school. In April, the district said it would push ceremonies to July in lieu of canceling or hosting a virtual ceremony like other Florida school districts. | Read more

Jacksonville airport steadies for a return to the skies

Any traveler who has not been to an airport since the pandemic began would be struck by how different Jacksonville International Airport looks.

There’s no traffic at the arrival drop-off; plexiglass barriers and floor decals now dictate social distancing at info booths and in Transportation Security Administration lines; seating at food courts has been removed. | Read more

SAT testing cancellations leave families in Bright Futures limbo

With SAT and ACT testing dates canceled due to COVID-19, many St. Johns County graduates are wondering how they’ll be able to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship in time. | Read more

Map of coronavirus cases and deaths in the U.S.

Starter

St. Johns County drug court presses on through pandemic

St. Johns County drug court has managed to keep going during the coronavirus threat despite not being considered a “critical” part of the court operations, drug court Judge Alexander Christine Jr. said.

For 10 people in May, that meant they were able to graduate from the program — via video conference — and move from the last phase of the program to the next phase of their lives. | Read more

Jacksonville cinema offers a return to drive-in glory days

The Sun-Ray Cinema in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood put on two nights of movies under the stars at Nassau County’s Callahan Speedway.

“Smokey and the Bandit” and “Mad Max: Fury Road” were quick sellouts. | Read more

New Changing Homelessness funding targets homeless veterans

Changing Homelessness, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit, has received a $2.4 million federal cash infusion to serve Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. | Read more

Photos: COVID-19 brought upheaval to Jacksonville restaurant scene

The coronavirus pandemic with its mandatory month-long shutdown wreaked havoc on Jacksonville-area restaurants.

Aside from the shutdown, the past three months saw new restaurants open, established ones expand and others close permanently. | Read more

Mötley Crüe and co. stadium tour, including Jacksonville stop, postponed

Fans will have to wait another year to see Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in Jacksonville.

On Monday, the bands announced they’d be postponing the mega tour, dubbed “The Stadium Tour,” which was scheduled to launch at Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field on June 18. | Read more

Message to Class of 2020: Congressman Al Lawson

In a message to the class of 2020, Congressman Al Lawson congratulated seniors on their accomplishments.

“You’ve all worked really hard to reach this moment,” he said. “You’re the class with vision. You’ve seen and experienced it all.” | Read more

Message to Class of 2020: Eric Mann

In his message to the class of 2020, Eric Mann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, congratulated the recent graduates across Northeast Florida.

“One of the things we’ve learned about this interruption in our lives is that while ... it has changed our lives forever, what you’ve accomplished by graduating, no one can take that away,” he said. “Take satisfaction in accomplishing something that’s been great. You are going to be one of the greatest generations because of COVID-19.” | Read more

Stocks open higher as investors hope for economic recovery

U.S. stock indexes are moving higher in early trading Tuesday, following broad gains in global markets as investors hope that the gradual lifting of coronavirus lockdown mandates will put economies ravaged by the outbreak on the path to recovery. | Read more

Tracking the spread of coronavirus cases in the US and worldwide

Starter

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

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