Coronavirus: Baptist Health CEO pleads for help from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry

NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 12,000 people in Florida and 6,000 people in Georgia have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled.

Action News Jax has the very latest information on Florida and Georgia cases of the coronavirus LIVE on FOX30 and CBS47. Click here to watch.

Baptist Health CEO pleads for help from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry

Action News Jax is investigating a letter sent to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry from a major local hospital health system that suggests it is not getting the help it needs from the city.

The letter, written by Baptist Health CEO Brett McClung on March 27, pleads for help amid the coronavirus pandemic. He makes two requests of the mayor.

First, McClung requests that the city “implement greater (non-voluntary) mitigation measures.” Second, it asks for “assist in sourcing” numerous items, including 1,100 ventilators, 900,000 gowns and 5 million pairs of gloves.

Baptist Health sent Action News Jax a statment that reads, “Mayor Lenny Curry has been appropriately aggressive in leading community mitigation efforts and extremely responsive to our requests for help.”

Letter sent to the city from Baptist Health:

Baptist Health Statement

"The COVID-19 crisis is rapidly evolving. Baptist Health, like all local health care systems, has been preparing for months. We are continuously evaluating and adapting as the situation changes daily. As part of our preparation, we are using predictive analytics to determine when a surge may hit, and how many of various resources and supplies we need to respond. We are working with local, state and federal officials to ensure we have an adequate supply for the future. Mayor Lenny Curry has been appropriately aggressive in leading community mitigation efforts and extremely responsive to our requests for help to secure these products for Baptist Health and all health systems in Northeast Florida. The Mayor and local hospitals are all working together to provide the best care possible during these challenging times.

We can’t give you specific numbers because we are pursuing equipment, PPE, medication, and other supplies from various sources. What I can tell you is that we, like most other healthcare providers across the country, do not have everything we need to get through the anticipated surge. However, we are receiving shipments daily from our local, state, and federal partners and we will continue explore every avenue to acquire the resources to assure we have an appropriate supply of what is needed for our community."

Baptist Health sends letter to Jacksonville mayor Baptist Health sends letter to Jacksonville mayor

Glynn County Chairman Michael Browning urges Governor Brian Kemp to reconsider state’s decisions

April 7, 6:37 p.m.: In a letter to Governor Brian Kemp Monday, Glynn County Chairman Michael Brown asked the state leader to reconsider the state’s decisions to reopen the beaches to the public and to suspend Glynn County’s ability to address short-term rental matters.

HERE IS HIS LETTER:

Helping small businesses financially in Duval County

April 7, 12 p.m.: To aid small businesses locally during the pandemic, Mayor Lenny Curry and the city of Jacksonville have partnered with VyStar Credit Union, to lend money to businesses.

In a video-conference Monday, Curry stated:

• The program will provide low-cost loans with less stringent underwriting requirements and flexible repayment terms.
• It requires interest-only payments for the 1st year to ensure repayment costs remain low. Loan approval and funding should take place in 3-5 days.
• To qualify, a business must have between two to 100 employees in addition to business owners.
• The business must have at least one year in operations and provide the most recent year’s filed tax returns.

If a business owner or nonprofit wishes to apply, click here.

Confirmed COVID-19 test results at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

April 7, 7:17 a.m.: Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay confirmed to Action News Jax that personnel had positive COVID-19 test results. “Those people are following the guidance of their healthcare providers. The base has taken many steps. Our chapel has stopped services, the fitness center is closed, we are teleworking where possible and many other steps based on guidance from the CDC. We are committed to protecting our people and maintaining our mission readiness,” base spokesperson said in a statement.

New updates regarding social security recipients’ stimulus payments

April 6, 7:08 a.m.: Action News Jax reported last week when the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service said U.S. residents on social security will not have to file a tax return to get their stimulus payments. The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 to generate $1,200 economic impact payments to Social Security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.

Today, officials announced that the Treasury, not Social Security, will make automatic payments to social security recipients. Payments will be received by direct deposit or a paper check, as one would normally receive their social security benefits.

Social Security said it is also working closely with the Treasury to address questions regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said they realize people are concerned and will make any new updates from the IRS available on its website by clicking here.

Avoid grocery stores, pharmacies for next two weeks, White House says

April 6, 5:55 a.m.: The next two weeks will be crucial to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the United States.

White House official Dr. Deborah Birx stated, “This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store, not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family and your friends safe, and that means everybody doing the 6 feet distancing, washing your hands,” according to CNN.

It’s an effort to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases.

Major retailers are taking steps to keep you safe should you have to go to the store.

Watch below video for details:

Coronavirus: New store rules to keep shoppers safe Coronavirus: New store rules to keep shoppers safe

Coronavirus US death toll to soar to more than 10,000 this week

April 6, 5:45 a.m.: The US Surgeon General said this will be a sobering week when it comes to the number of COVID-19 cases.

By Wednesday, officials said the death toll will exceed the swine flu’s 12,500 deaths in 2009, a number that took a whole year to reach. Right now, there are more than 750 coronavirus cases locally in our 15-county area.

Jacksonville mayor to discuss loan program for small business owners

April 6, 5:30 a.m.: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and city council members will discuss a small business relief program, a partnership with VyStar Credit Union today at 11:30 a.m.

The $350 billion federal program went into effect last week and will lend millions of dollars to small businesses locally.

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