​At today’s Board of County Commission meeting, the following updates were provided by County Administrator Verdenia Baker regarding our efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

• On Monday, March 16, Palm Beach County escalated to a Level 2 partial activation at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) providing for selected county staff and partners to support county operations dealing with COVID-19.
• On Friday, March 13, Palm Beach County declared a local State of Emergency.
• As of 11 am today, Florida Department of Health reports 173 positive cases in Florida, with nine in Palm Beach County. Seven of those cases are travel related.
• Today is Election Day and Supervisor of Elections Wendy Link has made every effort to provide for a safe environment to vote. There will be hand sanitizers for voters, poll workers will have gloves and will be following CDC protocols for cleaning voting equipment. Voters are encouraged to bring their own sanitizer and black pen.
• Yesterday, from 8 am to 6 pm, the Emergency Information Center (EIC) opened to field general questions regarding county operations in relation to COVID-19. There were about 120 calls yesterday asking about the Town of Palm Beach curfew and health screening questions. The call center will remain open through the week. The EIC telephone number is 561-712-6400.
• On Friday, March 13, in an abundance of caution, a memorandum was sent to all department heads with directives to suspend non-critical group meetings, group events, and non-essential travel.

Looking ahead to our continuity of county government operations, there will be changes to the delivery of services. To date, the following programs have been modified:

• Congregate meal program administered by the Division of Senior Services will discontinue at the close of business, Thursday, March 19. Participants will receive a 2-week supply of shelf-stable meals to take home with them.
• Senior centers will close on Friday with the exception of the Adult Day Care program at North County and Mid-County centers.
• The Highridge Family Center operated by the Youth Services Department has closed in concurrence with school closures. The children and their families are being managed telephonically.
• The Parks Department will be updating existing Facility/Activity Status Charts to reflect the following:
  • Indoor Facilities – Closure of the indoor spaces of Nature Centers, Recreation Centers, Gyms, Museums, Restaurants and Cafes (takeout or delivery food service only).
  • Outdoor Areas – Cancellation of all sports team use of sports fields (fields only available for small group open play), closure of all group pavilions, playgrounds, fitness zones, splash pads, BMX track, pools and waterparks.
  • General park areas and open space, beaches, trails, golf courses, campgrounds, tennis courts, and pickleball courts will remain open. Basketball courts closed.
• Public Safety’s Victim Services Department has implemented the provision of call-in for therapy appointments when appropriate. In-person assistance to sexual assault/domestic violence victims will continue.
• The Animal Care and Control division partners with various agencies to help move animals through the shelter. Agencies are putting certain protective actions in place that are/will affect these arrangements. To address the impact, Animal Care and Control is recommending the service modifications effective March 23, to include:
  • Suspending spay/neuter services for the public until further notice.
  • Suspending owner surrenders except for evictions, death of owner, or domestic violence case.

Residents have received their invitation to complete the 2020 Census. They are reminded to take the opportunity to complete their 2020 Census as soon as they can. 

As conditions change, we will adjust our actions accordingly. We are continuing to review our operations and anticipate many more adjustments to our normal operations as we work creatively to continue to deliver services to our residents.