VIDEO:
PALM BEACH COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE: Friday, October 2 press conference at the PBC Emergency Operations Center.
October 2, 2020 COVID-19 MEDIA BRIEFING SUMMARY
On Friday, October 2, County Mayor Dave Kerner gave an update at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Joining him was Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link, Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County, Commissioner Melissa McKinlay and County Administrator Verdenia Baker. Friday marks the 200th consecutive day of EOC Level 2 activation; the mayor signed the 30th declaration of state of emergency.
Metrics – Palm Beach County reported 135 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday (46,833 total) and 16 new fatalities (1,389 total). The overall positivity rate statewide stands at 13.28%; daily lab positivity rate statewide is 3.77%. Palm Beach County's total positivity rate is 12.58% with a daily lab positivity rate of 2.40%. More than 50% of new cases of COVID-19 are in the 15-45 age group, Dr. Alonso said.
Walk-up testing – The drive-thru testing center at the South County Civic Center will transition to a walk-up site, beginning Wednesday, October 7. The walk-up site will be managed by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and will utilize the district's Scout mobile testing vehicle. The transition is in line with operational changes at the state level concerning state supported testing sites. Also, the civic center serves as an early voting site and some of the space needed for voters was taken up by the drive-thru operation. Walk-up testing will be conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. No appointment required. The South County Civic Center is located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.
Phase 3 – Palm Beach County
Emergency Order 2020-028 was issued on September 29 in response to the governor's
Executive Order 20-244, which moved all Florida counties into Phase 3 reopening. With the exception of Palm Beach County Emergency Orders
2020-012 (facial coverings) and
2020-017 (enforcement), all prior Palm Beach County emergency orders imposing COVID-19 related restrictions on individuals, businesses, and/or establishments were repealed and replaced by EO 2020-028.
CECT – The COVID Education Compliance Team (CECT) continues to inspect establishments for mask and social distancing compliance. The team has processed 4,932 complaints. Approximately 7,000 complaints were received. Education remains the CECT's primary focus. The public comment line is 561-24COVID.
Elections – The Supervisor of Elections Office has issued about 428,000 vote-by-mail ballots. If you do not wish to mail in your completed ballot, you can bring it to one of the four SOE offices in the county and place it in the drop box outside. Libraries and other facilities cannot accept mail-in ballots.
Agriculture – Commissioner Melissa McKinlay participated in a roundtable teleconference Thursday with Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried about agricultural worker testing. The Glades growing season is underway. Mobile testing units are being deployed at farmworker migrant camps, and non-congregate living facilities are available. On behalf of the BCC and the employees of Palm Beach County, Commissioner McKinlay wished President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and everyone at the White House “a speedy and uncomplicated recovery."
Business grants – The Palm Beach County CARES Restart Business Grants program resumed on September 25. Ends Oct. 9. BCC authorized individual grants of up to $25,000 to help “restart" businesses that were forced to close by state or county executive order. Through Thursday, 767 applications have been received, 551 reviewed, and 109 approved. To date, a total of $51.5 million n checks have been issued.
Mortgage assistance – On October 9, the Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability (HES) will begin its second round of CARES Act funding for eligible households that are delinquent in their first mortgage and escrow payments. Additionally, funding may assist with late fees, attorney's fees, condo/homeowner association fees, special assessments, and other mortgage-associated costs related to COVID-19. To date, HES has processed 1,289 applications and issued 906 grant checks totaling $5.7 million.
Rent/Utilities assistance – The CARES Act Rent and Utilities assistance program will start up again on October 6. This program provides a one-time rental and utility assistance to eligible Palm Beach County residents who have experienced loss of income, reduction in hours, or unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mask mailing – To encourage the continued use of masks and limit the spread of COVID-19, the county will be doing a second mask mail out. This mailing will incorporate more PO boxes and multifamily housing units that may have missed by the postal service in the first round. Each mailer will contain 4 cloth masks per household.
Census – Thus far, Palm Beach County has a 64.3% census compliance rate. The deadline to return completed census forms is Monday. “We want every single person in Palm Beach County to be counted," said Administrator Baker.
ORDERS, ACTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PALM BEACH COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-28 ISSUED FOR PHASE 3 REOPENINGS
County Administrator Verdenia Baker has issued
Emergency Order 2020-028, effective as of 5:00 P.M. on September 29. On September 25, Governor Ron DeSantis issued
Executive Order 20-244, which moved all of Florida's counties into Phase 3.
The County Administrator has determined that it is necessary and appropriate to repeal and replace some of the prior Palm Beach County emergency orders imposing COVID-19 related restrictions on individuals, businesses, and establishments, while making clear that certain restrictions are still imposed to curtail the spread of COVID-19. With the exception of Palm Beach County Emergency Orders Nos. 2020-012 (facial coverings) and 2020-017 (enforcement), all prior Palm Beach County emergency orders imposing COVID-19 related restrictions on individuals, businesses, and/or establishments are hereby repealed and replaced with the Order 2020-028.
The requirements of
Emergency Order 2020-012 are still in place and all individuals, businesses, and establishments must use facial coverings in all businesses and establishments; in public places where social distancing is not possible; in common areas within private communities accessible to more than one housing unit; when utilizing the Palm Tran services and when accessing governmental buildings. In addition, businesses and establishments shall continue
to ensure compliance with facial covering mandates, including establishing a process for verification of compliance upon customer entry into the business or establishment. A business' or establishment's failure to ensure said compliance may result in fines, penalties, and/or any other enforcement measures authorized by law upon those businesses or establishments. Pursuant to Governor DeSantis' Order 20-244, COVID-19 related collection of fines and penalties upon
individuals is suspended.
All individuals, businesses, and establishments, shall adhere to all applicable social distancing guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The foregoing shall apply to all persons located in all businesses and establishments, but said requirements cannot be imposed to limit restaurant capacity to less than one hundred percent of its indoor capacity at any given time.
All businesses and establishments must adhere to enhanced cleaning protocols, such as those in guidelines issued by the CDC relating to enhanced cleaning and disinfecting guidance for reopening.
EMERGENCY ORDER 28
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CLICK
HERE TO VIEW PALM BEACH COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDERS
PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS EXTENDED THE
COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY UNTIL 10/9
PBC TESTING
*NEW* SOUTH COUNTY TESTING SITE TO TRANSITION TO WALK UP SITE
The drive through testing center currently operating at Palm Beach County's South County Civic Center will be transitioning to a walk up site beginning Wednesday October 7, 2020. The walk up site will be managed by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and will utilize the district's
Scout mobile testing vehicle.
The transition is in line with operational changes at the state level concerning state supported testing sites. Another consideration for transitioning this site and shrinking the area needed for testing was the upcoming election. The civic center is one of Palm Beach County's 18 early voting sites.
The new hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 A.M to 4 P.M. This is an increase in hours from the drive through site and no appointments will be required. The South County Civic Center is located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, 33446
Health Care District of Palm Beach County's Testing for Friday, 10-2-20:
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
111 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
60 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.
Antibody testing no longer available
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
*NEW*
THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CARES RESTART BUSINESS GRANTS PROGRAM RESUMED ON SEPTEMBER 25
The Restart Business Program guidelines, including eligibility criteria is posted on the County's website. The Board gave approval for individual grants up to $25,000 to help “restart" Palm Beach County businesses forced to close by State or County Executive Order. The online application will be accessible through the Palm Beach County website for a two-week period closing on Friday October 9, 2020 at 11:59 P.M. For additional information, please visit Palm Beach County's Department of Housing & Economic Sustainability. Program distributions as of Friday:
|
Summary |
Count |
| Total Applications Received |
836 |
Applications Submitted/In Que for Review
| 1
|
Applications In Review
| 556
|
Applications Denied-Inaccurate, Ineligible
| 122
|
Applications Approved
| 113
|
CARES Grant Issued by Checks
| 44
|
CARES Funds Distributed
|
$788,767.50 |
*NEW*
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, through its Community Services Department (CSD), is providing direct assistance for food and rent assistance to eligible residents of Palm Beach County under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Below is a chart reflecting the CARES dollars that have been distributed for food and rent assistance as of 5:00 P.M. on Friday:
|
Summary for Rent and Utility Assistance |
Count |
| Total Services Received |
6678 |
| Services In Review | 1937
|
Services Denied
| 1093
|
| Services Returned | 1211
|
| Services Approved Pending Payment | 93
|
| CARES Rental & Utility Assistance Checks Issued | 2344
|
| CARES Processed Payment |
$3,982,738.32 |
|
Summary for Food Assistance |
Count |
| Total Services Received | 5327
|
| Services In Review | 2959
|
| Services Denied | 250
|
| Services Returned | 1071
|
| Services Approved Pending Payment | 43
|
| CARES Food Assistance Checks Issued | 1004
|
| CARES Processed Payment |
$652,200.00 |
ARCHIVED NEWS
HIGHRIDGE FAMILY CENTER TO RESUME FREE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY YOUTH
$23 MILLION AVAILABLE TO RESTART BUSINESS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. APPLY HERE.
PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM ADDING SUNDAY HOURS AT SELECT BRANCHES
PALM BEACH COUNTY FEEDING SITES INTERACTIVE MAP
PBC YOUTH SERVICES TO RESUME FREE IN-PERSON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES FOOD ASSISTANCE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES RENT AND UTILITIES
Follow us:
Twitter - http://twitter.com/pbcgov
Facebook - http://facebook.com/pbcgov
NextDoor - https://nextdoor.com
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.