City, health leaders reflect on COVID-19 brand in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. One year ago, Duval County reported its first case of COVID-19, which changed our lives in a way many of us never thought possible.

City leaders and hospital officials took time on Saturday to reflect on the past year.

“You can tell a lot of people how they react to hardship,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said in a YouTube video statement. It’s been one year since he signed an emergency order to address COVID-19 in Duval County. “These are defining moments for people in communities, and citizens of Jacksonville have shown time and time again since our founding in 1822 that we are strong, compassionate, brave and resilient people.”

COVID-19 closed beaches, gyms and entertainment venues, switched children to online education and left many people out of work.

To date, more than 90,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in Duval County.

“The term for me that really sums it up over the past year I think is ‘challenging,'” said Dr. Chirag Patel, assistant chief executive at UF Health Jacksonville. “Challenging because of the number of cases, the severity of illness,” the high mortality rate with COVID, which all work together to demand a great deal of the mental health and well-being of health workers. “

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But Patel said the silver lining is that health workers and the scientific community across the country are facing the challenge.

A year later the cases decrease and several vaccination sites are erected around the city which offers some hope.

But the mayor encourages people not to let their hats down yet.

“We are truly a friendly and compassionate people. Now, one year later, more vaccines become available, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to go a little further, ‘Curry said. “I urge everyone to fight to end this pandemic once and for all.”

As we see the light at the end of the tunnel, Patel encourages people to keep wearing a mask, taking social distance and washing your hands regularly.