Jacksonville-area coronavirus updates: Masks matter in flattening the curve, says mayor, public health officials

NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 52,500 people in Florida and 44,400 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.

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.

NOTE: As new information related to the coronavirus comes in regarding Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, we will update this story. Please read the entire article for the latest information from May 28.

Jacksonville mayor, public health officials: Masks matter in flattening the curve

May 28, 12 p.m.: Masks matter -- that was the message from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and area hospital administrators.

Curry said the face coverings are proving critical to flattening the curve in Jacksonville. He said everyone needs to be doing their part to keep COVID-19 cases down.

“We must find a way to navigate this responsibly. That means being personally accountable and taking necessary precautions,” Curry said.

He said whether you have a store-bought mask or homemade face covering, it needs to be on if you’re out and around people in public. Local health officials agree.

“If we both have a mask on, our risk of transmission is probably not zero, but very low,” said Dr. Leon Haley, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville.

While it is not mandatory to wear a mask, Curry said it is a “very strong suggestion.”

“These are all personal decisions,” he said. “They’re not political and you should not take them personally.”

Jacksonville mayor to discuss importance of wearing mask in public

May 28, 8 a.m.: At 9 a.m., Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will be joined by area hospital administrators to discuss the importance of wearing a face mask in public, as well as taking other precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Other topics, such as hospital safety and the importance of continued testing, will also be discussed.

Others expected to attend the news conference include:

• Brett McClung, President & CEO - Baptist Health
• Tom VanOsdol, President & CEO – Ascension St. Vincent’s
• Dr. Leon Haley, CEO – UF Health Jacksonville; Dean - UF College of Medicine, Jacksonville
• Dr. Kent Thielen, Vice-President & CEO - Mayo Clinic
• Doug Baer, CEO - Brooks Rehabilitation
• Capt. Matthew Case, Commanding Officer - Naval Hospital Jacksonville

Action News Jax will carry the briefing LIVE on CBS47 and FOX30. You can also watch the briefing online by clicking here or here. The briefing can also be watched on the Action News Jax NOW app for Amazon Fire, Apple TV or Roku.

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