APRIL 15 PRESS CONFERENCE AT PBC EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
​Mayor Dave Kerner gave a COVID 19 update today; see the video here.

COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING SUMMARY APRIL 15, 2021
On April 15, County Mayor Dave Kerner gave an update at the Emergency Operations Center on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Joining him were Dr. Alina Alonso, Director, Florida Department of Health, PBC, Darcy Davis, CEO of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Commissioners Mack Bernard, Maria Marino, Maria Sachs, Gregg Weiss and County Administrator Verdenia Baker. April 15 marks the 30^th day of the second year of activation at the EOC.

Moment of Silence for PBSO Deputies Lost to COVID-19 – Observed a moment of silence for seven fallen deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The most recent employee passed away last week, 5 of the employees were 49 or younger and 1 was in their 30s.

Health Department – Dr. Alonso confirmed the positivity rate beginning on April 1 was at 5.05% and has peaked at 7.13% this week. The period of rapid improvement ended in February and although cases are going up, hospitalizations and deaths are down. 

Palm Beach County has a total of 137,132 cases state wide, 2,704 total deaths and is averaging 450 new cases daily. 55% of new cases are coming from residents ranging in age from 15 to 55 and only 3% of that population has been fully vaccinated in Palm Beach County.

Vaccinations – Palm Beach County has been a statewide leader in distributing vaccinations. Through April 15, a total of 348,293 Palm Beach County residents have received at least one vaccination; about 80% of them are age 65 or older. A total of 232,171 county residents have been fully vaccinated.

Any resident age 16 or older may now register to be vaccinated and there are many options to do so. All Publix locations, one Winn Dixie in Lake Worth, 12 CVS pharmacies, 57 Walgreens pharmacies, 21 Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs locations.

Residents can also contact the Healthcare District to schedule appointments by visiting http://vaccine.hcdpbc.org/ website or calling 561-804-4115. There is a state supported site at Anquan Boldin Stadium in Pahokee and the state continues to have pop up sites all over the county as supplies become available.

Homebound Vaccinations – The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is providing vaccine appointments for homebound seniors. The state encourages homebound individuals to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at their home by filling out the survey available here, emailing HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com or by calling 866-779-6121.

Someone from the Florida Division of Emergency Management will contact you within 72 hours to collect more information and schedule your appointment.

Healthcare District – Darcy Davis, CEO shared the milestone of 150,000 vaccination as of April 14 and a record 4,000 in 1 day. The district continues to receive positive feedback on the process and is scheduling appointments as vaccines become available.

Masks - The mandatory facial covering order in Palm Beach County is being extended through mid-May. Mayor Kerner said, “I understand we are fatigued with COVID and the data indicates that this is not a good time to relax our safeguards".

County Administrator Baker thanked the public for helping us to get us to where we are and encouraged residents to stay the course. “We want to get to a point where the science tells us we can stop wearing masks. Please bear with us and continue to wear the masks for the benefit of the community as a whole, said Baker".

As vaccine supplies increase, vaccination efforts and strategies will be expanded to utilize fixed regionally located vaccination centers in the south, central, north and west portions of the county, points of distribution, clinic operations, and mobile pop-up community sites.

Residents are urged to continue following the 3 Ws: wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, and avoid the 3 Cs – closed spaces, crowded places, and confined spaces. ​

ORDERS, ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

*NEW* EMERGENCY ORDER 2021-004 ISSUED EXTENDING FACIAL COVERINGS TO 05/18/21​

*NEW* INTERACTIVE VACCINATION LOCATOR MAP

VACCINE INFORMATION FLYER

JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE
As recommended by the CDC and FDA, distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is being paused to allow for review of a small number of cases of blood clots experienced by vaccine recipients.  The Health Care District of Palm Beach County and local Health Department use of this vaccine is on hold pending further notice from the CDC and FDA.  Strike team pop-up vaccination sites under the direction of the Florida Department of Health, including an event at Wellington Mall today and one in Royal Palm Beach tomorrow, are also temporarily suspended in response to this notice.   Distribution of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is unaffected by this action. 

VACCINE ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
Executive Order 21-79 revises vaccine guidelines for Florida residents. During this phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

All Floridians eligible to receive any COVID19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. Ages 18 and over for Moderna vaccine and 16 and over for Pfizer vaccine.

HEALTH CARE DISTRICT TO OPEN ONLINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING FOR PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE
On Thursday, April 15, 2021, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County opened 16,380 first-dose appointments of Pfizer vaccine for self-scheduling online at http://vaccine.hcdpbc.org [vaccine.hcdpbc.org].  Appointment dates are available between Tuesday, April 20 through Thursday, May 6, 2021.  Individuals 16 years and older are eligible to self-schedule appointments for the Pfizer vaccine brand.  The website lists the available dates, locations, vaccine brand and eligibility requirements at each of the Health Care District's three mass vaccination sites at the South County Civic Center west of Delray Beach, the Burns Road Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens, and the South Florida Fairgrounds in suburban West Palm Beach. It is essential that individuals follow the state eligibility guidelines when scheduling to avoid being turned away at the sites. A parent or guardian must be present at the appointment of those who are 16 and 17 years old.

As additional vaccine is received and appointments are opened, the community will be notified that the self-scheduler is open.

For those without internet access, the Health Care District's helpline at 561-804-4115 is available to assist in English, Spanish and Creole.  All appointments are based on vaccine availability.  

VACCINES FOR HOMEBOUND SENIORS
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is providing vaccine appointments for homebound seniors. The state encourages homebound individuals to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at their home by filling out the survey available here, emailing HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com or by calling 866-779-6121. Someone from the Florida Division of Emergency Management will contact you within 72 hours to collect more information and schedule your appointment. To date, more than 7,000 vaccines have been administered through the statewide homebound vaccination program.

*NEW* EMERGENCY RENTAL, RELOCATION AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Due to the high volume of applications, the Palm Beach County Community Services Department's online portal for Emergency Rental Assistance, Relocation Assistance and Utility Assistance is currently closed. The portal will reopen on May 3, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. For more information, click here.​

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PALM BEACH COUNTY EMERGENCY ORDERS​​

PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS EXTENDED THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY UNTIL 4/23/21​​​​​​​​

PBC TESTING

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches
5100 N. Haverhill Road., West Palm Beach, 33407
Drive-through site
Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Any age; with or without symptoms
Testing in the order of arrival; no appointment needed
PCR/Molecular Testing
Rapid Antigen Testing
To preregister with your information for testing go to: https://ops.patientportalfl.com/s/?language=en_US

Health Care District of PBC (HCD) C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic at Lakeside Medical Center
39200 Hooker Hwy, Belle Glade, 33430
Walk-up site, appointments recommended; Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. - Noon
Any age; with or without symptoms
Call 561-642-1000 for an appointment
PCR Molecular Testing and Rapid Antigen Testing

HCD C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic Jupiter
411 W. Indiantown Rd., Jupiter, 33458
Appointments only; Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Any age; with or without symptoms
Call 561-642-1000 for an appointment
PCR Molecular Testing and Rapid Antigen Testing

HCD C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic Delray Beach
225 S. Congress Ave, Delray Beach, 33445
Appointments only; Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Any age; with or without symptoms
Call 561-642-1000 for an appointment
PCR Molecular Testing and Rapid Antigen Testing

HCD “Scout” and “Hero” Mobile Clinic Outreach       
Walk-up site, any age; with or without symptoms
Varying locations and hours as scheduled
PCR Molecular Testing and Rapid Antigen Testing

FAU Tech Runway at Florida Atlantic University
901 NW 35th Street, Boca Raton, 33431
Walk up site, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Any age, with or without symptoms
PCR/Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. No appointment necessary
To preregister with your information for testing go to: https://ops.patientportalfl.com/s/

Town Center at Boca Raton Mall
6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 33431, at the Sears parking lot
Walk up site; every day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Any age; with or without symptoms
No appointment necessary.
PCR/Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing

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 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

RESOURCES

VACCINE INFORMATION
Florida Health Vaccine Information Page
Florida Health - Palm Beach County Vaccine Information Page
DOH Appointment Hotline:​​​ 866-201-6754
Palm Beach County Health Care District Vaccine Information Page
Publix Pharmacy Vaccine Information Page
CVS Pharmacy Vaccine Information Page
Winn Dixie Vaccine Information Page (Hypoluxo Rd, Lake Worth only)
Wal-Mart Vaccine Information Page
Walgreens Vaccination Information Page

ARCHIVED NEWS

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS AFTER GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE

COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE

WEST PALM BEACH VA IS NOW OFFERING THE COVID-19 VACCINE TO ALL VETERANS, REGARDLESS OF AGE, WHO RECEIVE CARE AT VA

CRISIS COUNSELING HEALTH SERVICES

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM @ PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY

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 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.​​​​​​​