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

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – A year ago, Duval County reported its first case of COVID-19, changing our lives in a way that many of us never imagined.

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

“You can say a lot about how people respond to difficulties,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry in a video posted on YouTube marking a year since he signed an emergency order to deal with COVID-19 in Duval County. . “These are decisive moments for people in communities, and the citizens of Jacksonville have repeatedly demonstrated, since our founding in 1822, that we are strong, compassionate, bold and resilient people.”

COVID-19 closed beaches, gyms and entertainment venues, transitioned children to online learning and left many people out of jobs.

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

“The term for me that really ties together all last year, I think is ‘challenging’,” said Dr. Chirag Patel, assistant medical director at UF Health Jacksonville. “Challenging due to the number of cases, the severity of the disease, the high mortality rate with COVID, which really combine to have a great impact on the mental health and well-being of health professionals.”

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But Patel said the bright side was that health professionals and the scientific community across the country were up to the challenge.

A year later, cases are on the decline and several vaccination sites are set up across the city, offering a glimpse of hope.

But the mayor is encouraging people not to let their guard down yet.

“We really are a kind and compassionate people. Now, a year later, more vaccines are being made available, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We should just go a little further, ”said Curry. “I encourage everyone to fight to end this pandemic once and for all.”

Seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, Patel also encourages people to continue wearing a mask, distancing themselves socially and washing their hands frequently.