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Palm Beach County Operations Coronavirus Update - Tuesday, April 21, 2020

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Palm Beach County Operations Coronavirus Update - Tuesday, April 21, 2020

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*New* VIDEO UPDATE: COVID-19 TESTING EXPANDS IN BELLE GLADE

If you have a traffic ticket to pay, the PBC Clerk & Comptroller's Office allows you to pay online. 

LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATES FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY

PBC ORDERS, ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


Palm Beach County remains under a State of Emergency

Executive Order 20-104 suspends the requirement of those seeking unemployment compensation to report the required biweekly "actively seeking work."

Click here to view all Local Executive Orders.


*New* TESTING SITES SUMMARY
South County Civic Center-Cleveland Clinic Florida 
During today's drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the South County Civic Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida tested 221 patients. The Cleveland Clinic Florida COVID-19 Screening Center representatives have scheduled 104 appointments so far for tomorrow. Appointments can be made at 561-804-0250. You must call to be screened and confirm an appointment time.

Cleveland Clinic Florida has expanded criteria for individuals eligible for COVID-19 testing. Anyone over the age of 16 who has the following signs and symptoms will be eligible for testing at our South Palm Beach County drive-through locations: 

  • Fever or Non Febrile respiratory illness (such as cough, shortness of breath, runny nose)
  • Fever and gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea, vomiting)

Individuals must still call first to speak with a nurse to ensure they meet criteria and make an appointment for testing.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County's 19th Day of Drive-thru Testing for Monday, 4-20-20:

West Palm Beach Testing Site-
During the 19th day of drive-thru testing for COVID-19 in Palm Beach County, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County's C. L. Brumback Primary Clinics tested 617 patients at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach.  There were 80 patients who did not show for their scheduled appointments. The average age of the patients tested was 54.  A total of 24 children were tested and the youngest patient was one year old.  Patients are notified when their results are in. A total of 8,913 tests have been administered at the site since it opened on March 31st.  Drive-thru testing at the West Palm Beach test site is by appointment only through the Health Care District's Testing Hotline, 561-642-1000.

Belle Glade Testing Site-
Today the Health Care District of Palm Beach County scheduled 67 appointments for tomorrow at its expanded Belle Glade COVID-19 Testing Site at Lakeside Medical Center, 39200 Hooker Highway in Belle Glade. Only patients who have an appointment will be able to access the new drive-thru testing beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22nd.  Individuals can be any age, and need not be symptomatic to be registered and tested, but they must call the Health Care District's Testing Hotline, 561-642-1000, in advance to be scheduled for testing. Patients who do not have a personal vehicle or use public bus transportation must also have a scheduled appointment. The Health Care District appreciates the support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the State Department of Emergency Management, the Florida Army National Guard and Palm Beach County personnel who supported the set-up of the single-lane drive-thru site today.

On Monday, April 20th, 49 patients were tested at the Belle Glade site.  Since March, the Health Care District has tested a total of 424 patients at the Belle Glade site. Results are communicated by a Health Care District provider as soon as they are available. 

*New* UP TO DATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DASHBOARD
Find the latest information about your specific zip code and cases of COVID-19. The Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard can be found here at the bottom of the page: COVID-19 Dashboard . An example of a zip code map can be found here: Zip Code Map 4/21/2020. Information is updated at least twice a day and you can see statistics for the whole state as well as each county.

State of Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis' Executive Orders
More information on the Governor's orders: FL Executive Orders, Governor's Orders FAQs


RESOURCES


Florida Department of Health Resources in Multiple Languages

Comprehensive Mental Health Resources

Discover the Palm Beaches Launches Help Desk for Essential Lodgers, Medical Personnel and First Responders
Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB) has opened a virtual help desk for essential lodgers to ask questions as they navigate hotel resources and special offers. Essential lodgers range from healthcare professionals and first responders to displaced residents and visitors.

The help desk can be reached by email at sales@thepalmbeaches.com, or contacts and times are as follows:

  • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT
    Yvonne Williams, 561-233-3057
  • Joseph Garcia, 561-233-3039
    2 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT
  • Caroline Meadows, 561-233-3034
  • Ashley Medeiros, 561-233-3056
  • For group reservations or venues, contact Mike Jackson at 561-233-3050 or mjackson@thepalmbeaches.com

Help for Businesses
The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, in partnership with Palm Beach County, local chambers of commerce and municipalities, has launched www.BizHelpPBC.com to help companies struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic. This website will provide weekly news updates, resources, and will feature a 2pm Town Hall call every Friday.

Community Services Department Rental & Utility Assistance
Individuals and families experiencing economic hardship because of loss of employment, or sickness can apply for assistance through the Community Services Department.  Residents who are eligible can access emergency rental and utility assistance online by visiting the website or by calling the following phone numbers:

  • Online application for all services including rent and utilities: www.pbcgov.com/OSCARSS
  • Phone number for rent: 561-904-7900
  • Phone number for utilities: 561-355-4792
  • Phone number for seniors EHEAP: 561-355-4746
Courts have temporarily suspended hearings on evictions, and a moratorium has been placed on utility shutoffs. Visit the website for more information about how to prepare and budget: www.pbcgov.com/communityservices

Free Telemental Health Services to Residents of Palm Beach County

  • Mental health services provided by the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department's Residential Treatment and Family Counseling (RTFC) Division are now available to the public via Telemental Health.
  • Education & Training Center – Family therapy, individual therapy, and parent training services through Zoom Video Telemental Health. Bilingual therapists (Spanish & Creole) are available. To schedule an appointment, call 561-233-4460.
  • Highridge Family Center – currently accepting applications for future residents. Intake appointments and weekly family counseling sessions, in addition to virtual individual therapy
    and parental support, are ongoing via Telemental Health. To schedule an appointment,
    call 561-625-2540.
  • Family Violence Intervention (FVIP) – court diversion program is accepting cases referred from the State Attorney's Office. FVIP team of master and bachelor-level staff provide case management, case planning, referral advocacy and mediation telehealth services via Zoom Video.
  • Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) – currently providing assessments, family and individual therapy, parent education and school-based behavioral health services via Zoom Video. Telemental Health services are offered in English, Spanish, French and Creole. To schedule an appointment, please call (561) 242-5714.
  • For more information about Telemental Health and other services provided by Palm Beach County Youth Services, please visit our website.

For more information and to apply for the ELC scholarship, simply go to the link below:

ELC First Responder Child Care Application [trustedpartner.azuredge.net] 


FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA
Feeding South Florida Calendar of Food Distributions at www.feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19

These sites provide groceries in a drive-thru style. The list is updated daily, dates, times and
locations may change.


SCHOOL DISTRICT
PBCSD campuses will remain closed for 2019-2020 school year. Distance learning will continue through the last day of the school year in Palm Beach County Friday, May 29.


SCHOOL FEEDING SITES
The School District of Palm Beach County continues feeding students while schools are closed.

  • Until further notice, the 35 feeding sites will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Two days' worth of meals will be provided each day. Meals distributed will be lunch and dinner only.
  • Click here for School District locations distributing 'Grab and Go' bags filled with breakfast, lunch, supper, and a snack, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

HOUSING & ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Palm Beach County Housing and business assistance programs can be found here.


ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
*New* Donations Needed for Local Pet Food Banks
Several pet food banks in Palm Beach County are running desperately low on resources and donations. Items most needed:

  • Dry cat food (no open bags)
  • Dry dog food (no open bags)
  • Canned adult cat food and canned kitten food
  • Canned adult dog food
  • Cat litter

Items can be ordered online and shipped directly to the food bank of your choice, or dropped off at their location.  To donate or to receive help, reach out to one of the pet food banks: http://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/animalcare/Pages/Pet_Food.aspx

PBC Animal Care & Control is asking to help empty the rest of the shelter after making history by clearing an entire kennel. Adoptable pets are still available in the other two kennels:


LIBRARIES
The Palm Beach County Library System has many resources available to help students, parents and teachers during virtual schooling. Staff are available by phone, email and chat to answer technology and other research questions through Ask-A-Librarian at www.pbclibrary.org.

Visit the Library COVID-19 page for all of our programs.


PALM BEACH COUNTY VICTIMS SERVICES
The Palm Beach County Victim Services & Certified Rape Crisis Center helpline is available for information, options and support: 561-833-7273. Services are free, confidential and private.


PARKS AND RECREATION
All parks and golf courses, both public and private remain closed until further notice.

Virtual Recreation CenterPBC Parks TV


ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
All Natural Areas are closed to the public until further notice.


PLANNING, ZONING & BUILDING
some of the Planning, Zoning and Building public meetings for May and early June are being cancelled.
All public meetings for April have been cancelled.


TRANSPORTATION

Palm Tran Fixed Route and Paratransit

  • All passengers should have a mask covering their nose and mouth while riding.
  • The number of people onboard has been limited to no more than 15 passengers.
  • Palm Tran Fixed-Route continues to operate on a Saturday schedule except routes 1, 2, 3, 43  
    and 62 which are on a regular weekday schedule. Sundays continue to operate on a Sunday schedule.
  • Palm Tran Connection is essential trips only.

Go Glades Service

  • Palm Tran's western community bus service, Go Glades, Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are currently not running a regular service. You will be able to book a trip on directly to and from your destination by calling: (561) 649-9838.
  • The Palm Tran call center (561) 841-4BUS (4287) is operating from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many trip planning functions may be done through the Palm Tran app and on palmtran.org.

Tri-Rail

  • Passengers are urged to wear masks while riding. Tri-Rail continues to offer an amended schedule until further notice, with 18-trains every 2 hours starting at 4:17 a.m. on weekdays, and 12-trains every 3-hours starting at 5:17 a.m. on weekends. 
  • Trains have suspended fares and are operating on a modified schedule:
    18 trains on Weekdays, 12 trains on Saturday, 12 trains on Sunday.

Brightline

  • Train service is suspended until further notice.

SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY: https://swa.org/632/6702/COVID-19-Updates.


CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL
Hunger relief, baby and household supplies, and assistance with calls to 211 Helpline are among the programs supported through $234,690 in COVID-19 emergency funds released by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC). Council's funds are earmarked for food, basic needs (excluding shelter), and direct services to children and families. More info.


EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Offering a limited number of child care scholarships for those serving on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. This is available for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old for up to 60 days for these critical employees. For more information, call: 561-514-3300.


SUICIDE PREVENTION
For resources to help cope during the coronavirus pandemic please follow this link: Suicide Prevention and COVID-19.


AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER (ADRC HELPLINE)
Seniors 60+ are encouraged to call the ADRC Helpline 1(866) 684-5885 for assistance with food, food stamps, COVID 19 information and questions on Medicare or Medicaid. Specially trained counselors are available to help in English, Spanish or Creole Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.


FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
The Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles authorizes the changes and extensions to driver licenses, identification cards, Registration, delinquent fees and in-person interviews. FLHSMV COVID-19 Emergency Order 041320


JURY DUTY
All jury selection proceedings are suspended through May 29. Jurors who were summonsed for jury duty through May 29th do not have to report for service. They do not need to take any further action.  Those with questions regarding jury service can call 561-355-2930 or visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/jury.


CIRCUIT COURT
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is limiting most face-to-face hearings. In order to protect the public's constitutional right to access and to ensure the progress of essential proceedings, the courthouses have remained open. Anyone who enters the courthouse will undergo a non-invasive temperature scan. Any person who refuses to have their temperature taken or has a temperature of 100.4 º F, or higher, will not be permitted to enter the courthouses. For updated information, visit http://15thcircuit.com


LOCAL CALL CENTERS
PBC Emergency Information Center remains open 7 days a week from 8 am – 6 pm. @561-712-6400

  • Boca Raton 561-982-4900
  • Greenacres 561-642-2000
  • Town of Palm Beach 561-227-7070
  • Riviera Beach 561-812-6597
  • Wellington 561-791-4000
  • West Palm Beach 561-822-2222

Frequently Asked Questions

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Individuals with questions related to the coronavirus should call the Florida Department of Health's Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-779-6121 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or  email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. They can also visit http://pbchd.org for the latest health information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the latest information and updates from Palm Beach County, visit http://pbcg

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