*NEW*
Media Briefing Summary
On November 20, County Mayor Dave Kerner gave an
update at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Joining him were Commissioners Gregg K. Weiss and Mack Bernard, County Administrator Verdenia Baker, Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County, and Julia Dattolo, interim president and CEO of CareerSource-Palm Beach County. Friday marked the 249th day of Level 2 EOC activation. A local state of emergency was issued for the 37th time.
Metrics –On Nov. 16, the daily lab positivity rate was 9.95%; on Nov. 13 it was 10.44%. “Once the positivity rate goes above 10, you have widespread county virus," said Dr. Alonso. “What happens then is the ability to understand who spread it to you goes way down." The goal, she said, is to keep the daily positivity rate below 5% in order to be able to do effective contact tracing. The 15-44 age group accounts for about half of all new COVID cases in Palm Beach County.
Holiday safety – With the Thanksgiving holiday next week, residents are urged to exercise caution when attending get-togethers. Try to limit celebrations to no more than 10 people; avoid crowded parties; wear a mask and observe social distancing. If weather permits, hold your gathering outdoors in the backyard or at a park. The CDC is advising against traveling for the holidays.
Testing – In coordination with the state of Florida, in the past week 15,344 COVID-19 tests were conducted at the 12 government-supported sites in Palm Beach County. For specific details on rapid testing and other testing options and a complete list of all testing sites in Palm Beach County, please visit www.pbcgov.com.
CECT – The COVID Education Compliance Team (CECT) continues to visit establishments providing educational materials and masks. CECT will investigate complaints about businesses not complying with the mandatory facial coverings order.
Employment – Palm Beach County's jobless rate fell nearly one full percentage point in October to 6.1 percent from 7.0 percent in September, the third consecutive month the local unemployment rate has gone down. Palm Beach County's is below the national unemployment rate of 6.6 percent and Florida's rate of 6.4 percent. Palm Beach County's labor force increased by about 7,000 in October, meaning more people are working and looking for work compared to the previous month. Dattolo noted that 118,000 more people were working in October than the month before. There are currently 2,656 job openings in Palm Beach County compared to less than 400 in April.
CARES Act – The CARES Mortgage Assistance Program has distributed $9.5 million to 1,198 eligible households in Palm Beach County to assist with 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. The portal is no longer accepting new applications, but applications submitted by the deadline continue to be reviewed for eligibility and processed for payment.
The CARES Restart Business Grants Program has distributed a total of $72.4 million to 4,609 local businesses for expenses needed to keep the business operational including commercial lease or mortgage payments, inventory, salaries, and purchasing personal protection equipment (PPE). The application portal is now closed, but applications received by the deadline continue to be reviewed for eligibility and processed for payment.
ORDERS, ACTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW*
EMERGENCY ORDER 2020-030 ISSUED EXTENDING FACIAL COVERINGS TO 12/21/20
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PALM BEACH COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDERS
PHASE THREE REOPENING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS EXTENDED THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY UNTIL 11/27
PBC TESTING
*NEW* The Health Care District has marked a milestone of providing over 100,000 COVID-19 tests to the community since March of this year.
FITTEAM Ballpark Rapid Antigen Testing Site
Drive up rapid testing is now available at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. An appointment is not necessary. Tests are available for all ages with symptoms. The site will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. PCR testing is still being conducted by the Health Care District at this site. More information about those testing sites is above.
Lakeside Medical Center Rapid Antigen Testing Site
Tests are available for all ages with symptoms. The site will be open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – Noon. This is a walk up site, no appointment required.
Florida Atlantic University Testing Site in Boca Raton
-Antigen Rapid Testing
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. An appointment is not necessary for rapid testing. Tests are available for all ages with symptoms. The site will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
-PCR/Molecular Testing
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.To make an appointment, call 561-642-1000. Testing is available to anyone over the age of 12, with or without COVID-19 symptoms. The site will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 am. – 2:00 pm.
Town Center at Boca Raton Mall Testing
-Antigen Rapid Testing & PCR/Molecular Testing
Walk-up testing located at the Town Center at Boca Raton Mall, 6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 33431, valet parking entrance. Testing every day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free to any age, with or without symptoms for PCR testing, symptomatic for antigen testing. No appointment necessary. The site will move to the Sears parking lot at the mall over the weekend and should be at full capacity at their new site next week.
South County Civic Center
-Antigen Rapid Testing
The testing site is located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446. An appointment is not necessary for rapid testing. Tests are available for all ages with symptoms. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
-PCR/Molecular Testing
The testing site is located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446. No appointment needed. Testing is available to anyone over the age of 12, with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Wellington Community Center Testing
Palm Beach County has partnered with The Village of Wellington 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 am. to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday.
RESOURCES
|
Summary |
Phase I |
Phase II |
Phase III |
Total |
| Total Applications Received |
4989
|
1461
|
1587 |
8037
|
Applications Submitted/In Que for Review
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
Applications In Review
| 0
| 43
| 76
| 119
|
Applications Denied-Inaccurate, Ineligible
| 2004
| 427
| 412
| 2843
|
Applications Approved
| 0
| 24
| 443
| 467
|
CARES Grant Issued by Checks
| 2985
| 967
| 656
| 4608
|
CARES Funds Distributed
| $50,769,711.91
| $15,058,967.32
| $6,629,647.39
| $72,458,326.62
|
*NEW* CARES ACT RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS
| Summary for Rent and Utility Assistance |
Count |
| Total Services Received |
16774 |
| Services In Review | 3391
|
Services Denied
| 1880
|
| Services Returned | 3746
|
| Services Approved Pending Payment | 275
|
| CARES Rental & Utility Assistance Checks Issued | 7482
|
| CARES Processed Payment |
$12,401,028.30 |
|
Summary for Food Assistance |
Count |
| Total Services Received |
11842 |
| Services In Review | 1528
|
| Services Denied | 575
|
| Services Returned | 2950
|
| Services Approved Pending Payment | 171
|
| CARES Food Assistance Checks Issued | 6618
|
Home Delivery Meals Food Assistance Cards Issued
| 984
|
Food Processed Payment
|
$4,720,400.00 |
| CARES Processed Payment |
$4,326,800.00 |
Home Delivery Meals Processed Payment
|
$393,600.00 |
ARCHIVED NEWS
THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SIGN-UP EXPANDS TO EIGHT PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY LOCATIONS
PALM BEACH COUNTY FEEDING SITES INTERACTIVE MAP
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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.