JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thanksgiving will be here in just a few days.
Some families who plan on coming together during the holiday are taking advantage of the COVID-19 testing sites throughout Jacksonville.
However, health experts are concerned about another wave of COVID-19 following the holiday.
Action News Jax’s Courtney Cole is taking a closer look into cases in Duval County to see which zip codes have the highest number of cases.
Jamika and Nathan Mitchell live in Oceanway — a community within the 32218 zip code.
It’s the zip code with the most COVID-19 cases in Duval County according to the state health department., with 2,823 cases.
“I didn’t know that this zip code will be the one that’s the hot spot,” said Jamika.
“It kind of makes me want to be extra cautious now,” Nathan told Action News Jax.
The Mitchells told Action News Jax they are doing everything they can to protect each other and their two young sons. That includes wearing their masks and keeping their hands clean.
“When you start slacking, oh, that’s when it gets crazy! It’s still out here,” said Nathan. “Once I get home I make sure I take off all my clothes in the garage, and I sterilize my phone, my glasses, my earpiece — anything that I’ve touched while I was at work.”
32210 has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Duval County, coming in at 2,569.
32208 is right next door to 32218, and has the third-highest number of COVID-19 cases, coming in at 2,220.
Action News Jax reached out to all the Jacksonville City Council members who represent the zip codes where cases are high.
She wanted to learn what they believed led to this high number of cases in their areas in comparison to other areas.
Councilman Reggie Gaffney of District 7 said he believes there are several factors that contribute to the increase in cases. In an email, he said in part:
“Specifically, I believe that economic conditions that limit availability of healthcare, contribute to pre-existing conditions and decrease the amount of sanitary living conditions, as well as certain types of crime contribute to increased rates of spread. Also, you have communities that are in fatigue from prolonged coronavirus precautions. When you have communities such as mine that are so dependent on one another, and that have strong traditional neighborhood and family units, they tend to be more interconnected. This decreases social distancing.”
Gaffney said he’s been taking steps to try and bring those cases down, including hosting regular drive-through supply run events to try to decrease the need for in-person exposure at places like the grocery store.
He said they have also given out masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies. Gaffney said there will be another event to help the community on Dec. 12.
Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson of District 10 told Cole, “Perhaps the number of positive COVID-19 tests is indicative of my District 10 neighbors taking advantage of the accessibility of COVID-19 testing sites in District 10, the desire to mitigate community spread and combat the personal health impacts of COVID-19.”
Priestly Jackson went on to say that she is grateful for the accessibility of COVID-19 testing in District 10.
“It doesn’t take much to catch coronavirus. So, if you could — on the front end — prevent it, because it’s a life and death situation to a lot of people, young and old, and try to prevent it before it comes to you, instead of waiting until it’s too late,” said Jamika Mitchell.
To find the closest COVID-19 testing site to where you live or work, click this link: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/free-covid-19-tests-jacksonville/M463OKG7SVERXKWTTILJUFFHQM/
Cox Media Group
