LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATES FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY
*NEW* VIDEO: COVID UPDATE FROM THE EOC
Palm Beach County Media Briefing Summary - August 21, 2020
During an afternoon news conference at the Emergency Operations Center, County Mayor Dave Kerner gave an update on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Joining him were Commissioner Mack Bernard and Emergency Management Director Bill Johnson.
Tropics - County officials are monitoring several systems in the Atlantic including Tropical Storm Laura, which is on a projected path to bring it near South Florida. Tropical storm-force conditions are possible in South Florida Monday. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and have their emergency plans in place. Please visit
readyPBC.com.
Homelessness - Commissioner Bernard announced all homeless individuals (approximately 135) who had been living in John Prince Park have been moved to other accommodations to include the new Lewis Center Annex and local hotels.
FITTEAM Testing - 115 COVID-19 testing sites are operating in Palm Beach County. Rapid-result antigen testing began this week at the Ballpark of Palm Beaches. The tests are administered to individuals who are age 65 and older, 5 to 18, or symptomatic at any age. Register online at
http://www.tourhealth.com or call 866-416-6341.
Palm Beach County has reported a total of 40,157 cases of COVID-19, 3,129 hospitalizations, and 1,048 cumulative deaths. The statewide daily lab positivity rate as of Thursday was 6.83%. Palm Beach County's has dropped to 5.18%. Neighboring counties daily positivity rates: Hendry County 23.88%; Martin County 9.14%; Broward County 6.75% and Glades County 50%.
• The State of Emergency in Palm Beach County has been extended until August 28.
• The mandatory mask/facial covering order
EO 2020-020 has been extended to September 22.
Vacation and Short-Term Rentals - Administrator Verdenia Baker signed
Emergency Order 2020-19 permitting the opening of all vacation and short-term rentals previously suspended by the governor's executive order (20-087). Vacation and short-term rentals may reopen provided the rentals are conducted in compliance with the provisions of Palm Beach County's safety plan, which is available within the order on our website,
www.pbcgov.com.
“There will be no tolerance for behavior that does not fall in line with the intent of this opening for the tourism and the hospitality industry," said Mayor Kerner. “There will be no house parties or large gatherings."
Schools - County and school district officials will meet Monday to begin developing an operational plan for reopening local schools. The School Board tentatively plans to reopen schools one week after the county goes to Phase 2.
CECT - The COVID-19 Education and Compliance Team (CECT) is actively enforcing
Emergency Order 18 which provides revised restrictions on operating hours for restaurants, food establishments, and other businesses and clarification of current business closures, and certain businesses that are allowed to operate under Phase 1 restrictions. To date, a total of 5,498 business complaints have been received: 3,995 complaints were assessed, 1,577 processed, and a total of 27 businesses closed for noncompliance. Download the Combat Covid app from the App Store and Google Play Store.
PBC ORDERS, ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* Emergency Order 19: Vacation and Short-term Rentals
All vacation and short-term rentals previously suspended by the Governor's Executive Order 20-087, may re-open provided that the rentals are conducted in compliance with the provisions of Palm Beach County's Safety Plan for Opening Vacation and Short-term Rentals, as may be amended,
available here.
This Order shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on August 22, 2020. This Order shall expire upon the expiration of the existing State of Local Emergency, as same may be extended by subsequent order or declaration, unless earlier terminated by subsequent order or Board of County Commissioners action.
*NEW* Emergency Order 20: Extension of Facial Coverings Directive
Executive Order 2020-12 is hereby extended until 12:01 A.M. on September 22, 2020. The original order has been in place since June 24.
Click here to view Palm Beach County Emergency Orders
Palm Beach County has extended the COVID-19 State of Emergency until August 28.
*NEW* PALM BEACH COUNTY TESTING
Health Care District of Palm Beach County's Testing for Friday, 8-21-20:
The Health Care District's
C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics [brumbackclinics.org] are providing safe, in-person medical appointments and pharmacy services at eight clinic sites throughout Palm Beach County. Patients can call 561-642-1000 to schedule an appointment for either a telemedicine or inpatient visit.
Rapid Antigen Testing Site
Rapid antigen testing is now available at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The site will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for anyone 65 years of age or older, 5 to 18 years of age or anyone over 5 years old showing symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments are required. Registration can be done online at
www.tourhealth.com or by calling (866) 416-6341. Online scheduling is preferred.
Florida Atlantic Testing Site in Boca Raton
The site tested
110 residents today. The testing site is located at the FAU Tech Runway on the north end of the FAU campus at 901 NW 35th Street, Boca Raton, 33431. Appointments are required for testing. To make an appointment, call American Medical Response at 1-800-209-7919 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Testing is available to anyone over the age of 12, with or without COVID-19 symptoms.
South County Civic Center Site in West Delray Beach
The site tested
68 residents today. The drive through testing site is located at the South County Civic Center located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446. Appointments are required for testing. To make an appointment, call American Medical Response at 1-800-209-7919 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Testing is available to anyone over the age of 12, with or without COVID-19 symptoms.
Wellington Community Center Testing
The Village of Wellington has partnered with Premier Family Health to provide FREE walk-up COVID-19 testing for all western communities' residents age 12 and over. Health officials from Premier Family Health will conduct tests at the Wellington Community Center located at 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, 33414. Testing will be available daily by appointment, and is available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents. To make an appointment, call 561-753-2484.
Homebound Resident Testing
Residents eligible include homebound elderly or individuals with disabilities who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
and cannot leave their homes to access one of the drive-up or walk-up test collection sites. Residents who believe they are eligible for the in-home testing option should call 561-712-6400 for a pre-qualifying assessment. The testing line is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
RESOURCES
UP-TO-DATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DASHBOARD
To find the latest information about your specific zip code and other COVID-19 data, check out the Florida Department of Health
COVID-19 Dashboard. Also find more health/COVID-19 information in
multiple languages here.
*NEW*
CARES RESTART BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the CARES Restart Business Grants Program to accelerate the reopening of businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. The $60 million Business Restart Program uses a portion of the county's $261 million allocation from the Federal CARES Act approved by Congress. The BCC has dedicated $50 million toward businesses with 25 or fewer employees and $10 million towards businesses with greater than 25 employees. The application period is now over but could reopen if grant dollars remain after the current applications are processed.
Below is the summary as of 4:00 PM Friday for the CARES DHES application process:
| Summary |
Count |
Total Applications Received
|
4989
|
| Applications In Review | 6
|
Applications Denied-Inaccurate, Ineligible
| 2003
|
Applications Approved
| 13
|
CARES Grant Issued by Checks
| 2967
|
CARES Funds Distributed
|
$50,528,290.26
|
PBC YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDES FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO GLADES RESIDENTS
Mental health services provided by Palm Beach County Youth Services Department's Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) program are available at no charge for Palm Beach County residents in the Glades area with youth ages 0-22.
YFC's community-focused services include assessments, family and individual therapy, parent education, school-based behavioral health services, and the “Real Talk" teen support group.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Telemental health services are offered in English, Spanish, French and Creole via Zoom Video. To schedule an appointment, please email
YSD-YFC-WestAppt or call the YFC West County Office (Belle Glade) at (561) 922-1233.
For a full list of telemental health services provide by Palm Beach County Youth Services Department's Residential Treatment and Family Counseling (RTFC) Division, please visit our
website.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER PROGRAM
Collaborative with Community-based Agencies
The Palm Beach County Community Services Department (CSD) has launched the Community Health Worker (CHW) Program, which is aimed at helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. CSD partnered with Caridad Center, Community Partners, FoundCare, Inc., Genesis Community Health, and Health Council of Southeast Florida to hire local residents who reflect similar racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the communities served.
For more information about the program, contact Sonja Holbrook at (561) 355-4700 or
SHolbroo@pbcgov.org.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT. PROVIDES HELP FOR RESIDENTS FACING EVICTION
The Palm Beach County Community Services Department has contracted with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. and Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. to provide county residents with free legal representation and assistance in handling landlord/tenant matters and past due payments through the Rapid Response Eviction Assistance Project (RREAP). The program is part of the CARES Act COVID-19. Individuals facing eviction may call the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County's Rapid Response Eviction Project at (561) 655-8944, ext. 328 or Florida Rural Legal Services at 1-888-582-3410.
COMMUNITY SERVICES ONE-TIME ASSISTANCE FOR RENT AND UTILITIES
The
CARES Act Rent and Utilities Assistance Program provides one-time rental and/or utility assistance to eligible Palm Beach County residents who have experienced loss of income, reduction in hours, or unemployment as a result of the pandemic. The funds are for applicants who reside in apartments, houses, townhouses, or mobile homes.
Applications must be submitted through the CSD's online portal. To apply, visit
www.pbcgov.com/OSCARSS. To learn more, visit
www.pbcgov.com/communityservices.
COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES ASSIST RESIDENTS APPLYING FOR CARES ACT RENT AND UTILITIES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Palm Beach County Community Services Department has partnered with eight community-based agencies to help residents apply for the Rent and Utilities Assistance Program through CARES Act funding. For more information or to make an appointment with a partnering agency, visit their website or call the respective number below:
- Adopt-a-Family – Family Division of the Lewis Center, 1000 45th Street, West Palm Beach, (561) 444-0398, www.aafpbc.org
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach – 9995 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, (561) 775-9560 or (561) 360-3327, www.catholiccharitiesdpb.org
- Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. – Lake Worth Office: 1123 Crestwood Blvd., Lake Worth, (561) 533-7227 / Belle Glade: 233 W. Ave. A Suite D, Belle Glade, (561) 992-0603, www.farmworkercouncil.com
- Palm Beach County Housing Authority - 3432 West 45th Street, West Palm Beach, (561) 684-2160, www.pbchafl.org
- The Lord's Place - 2808 N Australian Ave, West Palm Beach, (561) 537- 4652 or
(561) 494-0125, www.thelordsplace.org
- The Urban League of Palm Beach County - 1700 N. Australian Ave, West Palm Beach, 561-833-1461 ext. 3000, http://www.ulpbc.org
PALM BEACH COUNTY CARES FOR HOUSING (Mortgage Assistance Program)
ELIGIBLE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: Funding will provide assistance to income eligible households who are at least one-month delinquent in their first mortgage and escrow payments (PITI), late fees, attorney's fees, condominium and homeowners' association payments, special assessments, and other mortgage associated costs related to COVID-19.
LOCATIONS FOR CARES ACT RENT AND UTILITIES DOCUMENT DROP-OFF AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
The PBC Community Services Department (CSD) has added new locations to help applicants who have submitted CARES Act applications and need assistance with uploading pending documentation, verifying eligibility and/or processing the application only.
Drive-Thru Intake
Applicants may make an appointment to submit documents at CSD's drive-thru intake, located at 810 Datura Street, West Palm Beach, and 1440 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Riviera Beach, on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Call (561) 355-4792 to make/confirm appointments and find out the drive-thru hours.
Library Drop-Off Services
Applicants with pending documentation may also submit their documents at Palm Beach County Libraries. Some library locations may have limited in-person services. Library staff will only receive documents for pending applications.
Assistance with applying and/or submitting applications for the program is not offered at any Palm Beach County Branch Library. For more information or to locate your nearest library, visit
www.pbclibrary.org/locations.
Drop-off services are only available for clients who have submitted their application and need assistance with uploading pending documentation. For assistance applying for the program. Call (561) 355-4792 or contact any of the eight community-based organizations that are providing navigation services. The list of agencies can be found
here.
PALM BEACH COUNTY FEEDING SITES
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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
mailto:COVID-19@flhealth.gov. They can also visit
http://pbchd.org for the latest health information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Coronavirus COVID-19
For the latest information and updates from Palm Beach County, visit
http://pbcgov.com/coronavirus.