Coronavirus: City of St. Augustine announces launch of thermometer distribution plan

NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 24,000 people in Florida and 17,400 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.

City of St. Augustine announces launch of thermometer distribution plan

April 19, 1 p.m.: On Tuesday, April 21, the city of St. Augustine, in collaboration with Kinsa, Inc., will launch its community health monitoring initiative by distributing 600 thermometers. The thermometers will be distributed to eligible volunteer candidates, prioritizing city residents, utility customers, large-member households and households with members who come in contact and interact with the public as part of their daily work or volunteering.

Residents and utility customers in St. Augustine would be the first to get a thermometer if they qualify.

HOW IT WORKS

Callers will speak to city staff and will be asked six questions including your name, address, and if you you have a mobile phone that connects to the internet. Additional questions such as whether you, or a member of your household physically leaves the home for work, and interacts with 10 or more people on any given workday and the amount of people living in your household will be asked.

The answers will be recorded and given a certain point value. The final cumulative score determines the caller’s eligibility for receiving a thermometer, the city of St. Augustine stated.

A St. Augustine resident or utility customer with a qualifying score can get a thermometer, and will be given the choice to pick up the device at the drive-through window located at 50 Bridge Street, or the city will make arrangements to deliver it to a resident’s home.

Those with a qualifying score who is not a St. Augustine resident or utility customer will be placed on a wait list and be eligible for next wave of distribution.

To view the US Weather Health map, county by county, click here.

City of Atlantic Beach recommends beachgoers wear facemasks

April 18, 7:30 p.m.: In a Facebook post, the City of Atlantic Beach recommended beachgoes wear a cloth face cover while on the beach or in public areas.

Names of nursing homes with COVID-19 cases released

April 18, p.m.: Gov. DeSantis said Saturday that the names of nursing homes and assisted living facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases will be released in the interest of public health.

“I don’t want to be in a position where families don’t know.”

DeSantis says schools will continue distance learning for the rest of the school year

April 18, 4:30 p.m.: While speaking in Tallahassee Saturday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis said schools in Fla. will continue distance learning through the end of the school year.

DeSantis also said the members of the task force to reopen Fla. will be announced Monday. The task force will meet Monday and report to the governor by the end of the week.

Ban on most military, domestic travel extended by Pentagon

April 18, 1 p.m.: The Pentagon is extending its ban on most military and domestic travel, including permanent change of station moves, to take effect Monday. This will extend the end date for the travel prohibition from May 11 to June 30, according to military.com.

Suspension of jury trials, non-essential court proceedings extended by Supreme Court

April 18, 12 p.m.: No jurors who received a summons for any date before May 29, 2020 need to report for jury service. Their service is excused. If someone has a jury summons for a date after May 29, they should continue to check the juror hotline at (904) 255-2212 or visit the Duval Clerk’s jury page for future updates.

The Florida Supreme Court has also extended the suspension of all non-essential court proceedings until at least May 29.

St. Johns County beaches partially reopen for exercise only

April 18, 6 a.m.: The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced beaches in the county have been partially reopened from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., seven days a week for exercise that includes motion. Public parking lots have reopened, but beach parking remains closed. Lifeguards may not be on duty, so beachgoers must swim and surf at their own risk.

What is allowed:

• Walking, running
• Surfing
• Biking
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Other physical exercises or activities consistent with social distancing

What is not allowed:

• Sunbathing or sitting on the beach
• Blankets, towels and chairs
• Coolers
• Umbrellas and tents
• Any item that promotes a stationary presence
• Gatherings larger than ten people

This comes after the City of Jacksonville reopened Duval County beaches at 5 p.m. Friday. Beaches in Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic beach are now open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Partial reopen of the beaches Partial reopen of the beaches

The city released guidelines on allowed and prohibited activities:

What is allowed:

• Walking and running
• Biking
• Fishing
• Dog walking, which is allowed during all hours the beaches are open
• Swimming
• Surfing
• Participating in recreational activities consistent with social guidelines

What is prohibited:

• Sunbathing
• Towels and blankets
• Chairs
• Coolers
• Grills
• Loitering on the beach without moving
• Congregating in groups larger than 10 people

“This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life,” Mayor Lenny Curry said. “Please respect and follow these limitations. Stay within the guidelines for your safety as well as for the safety of your neighbors.”

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