St. Johns COVID-19: Number of infected jumps by 17 to 127 since Friday

Governor orders 'non-essential' workers to stay home

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The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus grew by 17 new patients since Friday afternoon in St. Johns County, marking a 72-hour increase of 43.

There now are 127 infected people as of Saturday afternoon, according to the Florida Department of Health. Of that group, 124 are residents and three are visitors.

Two have died in the county – a 67-year-old man and a 52-year-old man.

The infected include 68 men and 58 women. The Florida Department of Health is still working to determine the sex of the other patient.

Twenty-four have required hospitalization, including Tony Boselli, a three-time All Pro offensive tackle and former Jacksonville Jaguar offensive tackle. The rest are in self-quarantine.

As of Friday afternoon, an additional 1,526 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 during the last 24 hours in Florida to bring the state’s total to 11,111. The state’s death toll is 191 – a one-day increase of 28.

In response, test collection sites have been established for St. Johns County residents.

Flagler Health+ will test patients who have an order from their doctor and who have preregistered. There is a triage set up outside near the front door to separate patients and visitors from those who may be infected with the virus.

The St. Johns County Health Department is testing patients who have appointments and who meet the Center for Disease Control requirements.

And Avecina Medical-Julington Creek is accepting patients. Insurance cards and a photo identification is required.

Also, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday requiring any “non-essential” workers to stay home until the virus threat has subsided. And he ordered cars to be stopped on highways from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Louisiana with orders that all visitors be quarantined for 14 days.

The governor also suspended vacation rentals for the next 14 days and ordered hotels, campgrounds, RV parks and rentals not to honor reservations from “non-essential” guests until further notice.

Since this is a developing story, please check back frequently.