2 child deaths in 24 hours in Jacksonville underscore shifting nature of COVID-19 fight

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Talk of the Town 📣

We’ve been hearing the warnings from local infectious disease experts for weeks now -- the delta variant has shifted the COVID-19 paradigm. The virus is no longer targeting mostly the medically vulnerable older population. It’s also going after the young.

We learned this week that two children -- one as young as 2 weeks old -- died from COVID-19 within 24 hours at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. The hospital confirmed those children were among four who have died at the hospital since June when the current surge took hold in the city.

As the number of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 edges downward statewide, the number of new pediatric admissions are heading in the opposite direction. Florida hit record highs in new pediatric admissions and total pediatric COVID-19 patients this week.

News4Jax is also trying to track the first responders the area has lost to COVID-19. Three were honored this week as they were laid to rest: a Neptune Beach officer, a Clay County deputy and a Flagler County detention deputy. The area has lost at least 10 first responders to the virus.

Here are some other stories that captured your attention this week:

• Confused-looking Aiden Fucci: ‘Demons are going to take my soul away’
• Ex-prosecutor indicted for misconduct in Ahmaud Arbery death investigation
• Georgia girl, 5, killed by falling monument in Blackshear
• Prosecutors release video of deadly St. Augustine shooting as attorney calls for ‘stand your ground’ hearing
• Ask for COVID vaccine proof, face a $5,000 fine in Florida
• Could this St. Johns County school be the first to shut down due to COVID-19?
• Student raises concerns about long, crowded lunch lines at Jacksonville high school
• Column on Saints’ move to Jacksonville for season opener sparks Twitter war

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Did you know? 📞

It’s 904 Day! A day named after the area code in use for most of the First Coast. So get ready to scream “DUUUVAL!” and celebrate by checking out some fun facts about Jacksonville that have really put the River City on the map.

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