Coronavirus: JFRD firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 15,000 people in Florida and 10,000 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.

Jacksonville firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

April 9, 12 p.m.: Mayor Lenny Curry, along with emergency management team leaders, announced the following in a video-conference:

• A Jacksonville firefighter at Fire Station 28 on Hogan Road tested positive for COVID-19. Leaders were aware of the firefighter showing symptoms on April 4 and the firefighter has since been in quarantine. There are three Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department shifts, affecting 47 fire and rescue personnel, that are being asked to self-isolate until they can be tested.
• Testing at Lot J will continue under state guidelines. Curry stated “federal” testing will conclude this weekend. Lot J will now also be able to test up to 400 people a day at Lot J.
• Jacksonville’s percentage of positive tests is 5.6%, which continues to be below the state average 10.7%.

Wounded Warrior Project commits $10 million to help veterans during pandemic

April 9, 7:25 a.m.: The Wounded Warrior Project is committing $10 million to help veterans in need of financial help during the coronavirus pandemic, according to its CEO, Mike Linnington.

WWP said it is contacting all of its currently registered wounded, ill, and injured service members to help those who have loss household income because of the virus.

STORY: Stimulus checks could come as soon as Thursday for some

If you are a veteran who can’t meet your family’s needs for food or shelter, WWP said you can apply for relief. Those who qualify will be granted $1,000 to help pay for groceries, utilities, rent or mortgage payments, and other essential expenses.

“This support, combined with our mental and physical health and wellness programs, will aid the most vulnerable veteran families throughout our community. Due to their service-related injuries, illnesses, and service-connected disabilities, many of our nation’s wounded warriors are at greater than normal risk of immunosuppression, isolation and financial hardship," WWP said in a statement.

For more information, click here.

Wounded Warrior Project commits $10M to help veterans during coronavirus pandemic Wounded Warrior Project commits $10M to help veterans during coronavirus pandemic

Frustration continues after new Florida unemployment website appears to crash

April 9, 5 a.m.: A new website launched Wednesday for those wishing to file for unemployment benefits in Florida.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the new, mobile friendly online Reemployment Assistance application for new applicants, around 7:30 p.m. Action News Jax logged onto it and it appeared to be working. By 10:16 p.m., Action News Jax checked the website after receiving calls from viewers who said they were having issues with it, and it seemed to have crashed. As of 11:30 p.m., it didn’t seem to be fixed.

In a statement from Sen. Audrey Gibson regarding the new website’s issues, she said:

“I am extremely disappointed to learn of yet another debacle with the Unemployment site. It’s just junk or a conspiracy. But I’m pretty sure it’s junk. We could have installed a new working system by now. How about put that in an executive order. People are running out of money for the basics like food. This needs to end now!”

HOW IT WORKS: Click here to access the new mobile friendly Reemployment Assistance website.

To utilize the user-friendly online Reemployment Assistance application or to download the paper Reemployment Assistance application, Floridians should visit www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19. If a Floridian chooses to submit a paper application for Reemployment Assistance benefits, they should mail their application to DEO, and a representative will call when their application is processed.

Step 1 – Collect all information needed to complete the Reemployment Application.

Floridians will need the following information to submit an application for Reemployment Assistance benefits. They are encouraged to collect the following documents and information before beginning the application process.

· Social Security number

· Driver’s License or State ID number

· Employment information for the last 18 months for each employer:

· Employer ID - FEIN number (this is found on your W2 or 1099 tax form), if available

· Employer name (name on pay stub), address, and phone number

· First and last day of work

· Gross earnings (before taxes are taken out) covering the last 18 months

· Reason for separation

If you are one of the following, make sure you have this additional information available:

· Not a U.S. Citizen: Alien Registration Number or other work authorization form

· Military employee: Copy of your DD-214 Member 4; If you do not have the Member 4, then a copy of your Member 2-7 may be used.

· Federal employee: SF-8 or SF-50

· Union member: Union name, hall number, and phone number

Any Floridian who has lost their job due to COVID-19, is encouraged to complete a Reemployment Assistance application. The following are the steps needed to complete an application online or by mail.

Step 2 – Submit your Reemployment Assistance application.

Floridians can apply online or print an application for Reemployment Assistance at www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19. Paper applications may take longer to process than completing an online application.

Paper applications can be mailed to:

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity P.O. Box 5350 Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350

CareerSource locations across the state are available to assist with completing and submitting your online application. They are also available to provide paper applications. Visit CareerSourceFlorida.com for center locations.

FedEx is also offering Floridians the option to print and mail applications for Reemployment Assistance at locations throughout the state free of charge. Visit https://local.fedex.com/en-us/fl/ to find a participating location near you.

Step 3 – Receive your Reemployment Assistance application confirmation.

If Floridians mail their Reemployment Assistance application to DEO, a representative will contact it after the application is processed.

A written determination will be provided electronically and/or by mail to explain if the Floridian is monetarily eligible, and if the Floridians is, what their weekly benefit amount will be.

For more information about Reemployment Assistance benefits and how to apply, visit DEO’s mobile-friendly site: www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19.

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