City Of West Palm Beach Coronavirus Update For Aug. 21

From the City of West Palm Beach:

August 21, 2020

SUMMARY: The number of Palm Beach County residents testing positive for COVID-19 has been trending down during the month of August. Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed interest in adding Palm Beach County to the statewide “2nd Phase” reopening currently underway, but no timeline has been announced. Residents should monitor the forecast of Tropical Storm Laura which could impact Florida this weekend and early next week. Recheck hurricane supplies and make sure to have two additional masks/facial coverings per family member over the age of two as well as hand soap and sanitizers. Rapid antigen testing is now available at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. PalmTran public transit reintroduces fares. City park schedules are unaffected by Tropical Storm Laura. Public schools will open with virtual classes on August 31st, and while students will be at home it is important to remind them f the importance of social distancing and proper hygiene before regular classes return. This way children will be ready to follow the guidelines in the classroom whenever physical schools reopen.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DATA (data current as of 8/21/20, unless otherwise noted):

Total Florida Cases: 593,286

Positive Residents: 587,023

Florida Resident Deaths: 10,168

Non-resident Deaths: 136

New cases of Florida residents: 4,730 on 8/20/20

To see the latest statistics, visit the Florida Department of Health’s data page: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/#latest-stats

TESTING & HEALTH

• Antigen Rapid 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, 18 years of age or younger, or anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments are required. Registration can be done online at http://www.tourhealth.com or by calling (866) 416-6341. Online scheduling is preferred.
• Interactive testing map: An interactive testing map, created by Palm Beach County, features over 70 testing sites. The map will help residents find the closest private or community-based testing location for them. Several of the sites are government supported and have free testing with a variety of restrictions and processes. Many others are private labs, urgent care facilities or pharmacies that will bill your insurance. Visit: http://pbcgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7e512bab938b45a4b63275de6536302e

• FLORIDA DEPT. OF HEALTH COVID-19 HOTLINE: (866) 779-6121 or email covid-19@flhealth.gov with questions.

RECENT ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR PARTNERS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:

• EO 2020-19 The order is intended to allow the operation of vacation and short term rentals in accordance with a state approved safety plans.
• EO 2020-20 The order extends Order 2020-12, which mandated facial coverings in all businesses, establishments and public spaces. 2020-20 extends the order till 12:01 a.m. on September 22, 2020.
• PBC reintroduces transportation fares: On August 16, 2020, Palm Tran re-introduced fares on all modes of service.

CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH OPERATIONS, REOPENINGS:

• WARREN HAWKINS AQUATIC CENTER: The Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center, located at 1501 N. Australian Avenue, is now open to the public Monday – Thursday, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Lap swimming is available by reservation-only. For more information and to make a reservation, please call (561) 804-4961 (TTY 800-955-8771).
• LIBRARY | CURBSIDE SERVICE EXPANDED: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach has expanded its curbside service to include Saturdays. The contactless walk-up, pickup service allows library cardholders to pick up physical library materials Monday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. While the library doors are currently closed, the library remains committed to providing safe access to the tens of thousands of physical materials through this service and expanded access to online resources offered by the library since March. For more information, please call (561) 868-7701 (TTY 800-955-8771).
• LIBRARY | MOBILE PRINT & PICKUP SERVICE: With the Mandel Public Library’s new MobilePrint Service, you can now use your personal computer or mobile device to print to the library’s printers from anywhere. Simply submit documents for printing and use the walk-up, pickup service to schedule a time to pick up your document.
• CITY PARKS: Regional, community and neighborhood parks are open, as are boat ramps, tennis courts and dog parks. The following remain closed due to COVID-19: basketball and volleyball courts, fitness centers, pavilions, playgrounds, splash playgrounds, and sports fields for group play.
• QUESTIONS: Questions for the City can be emailed to 822@WPB.ORG. The Mayor’s Special Response Hotline is (561) 822-2222.
• TROLLEY SERVICE: City of West Palm Beach trolley service has been suspended until further notice.
• PUBLIC MEETINGS: To promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of West Palm Beach has turned to Zoom technology to host public meetings since April. While public meetings have gone remote, the public’s participation is still needed, welcomed and encouraged. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/536/16.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

• To view city, county and state executive orders pertaining to the public health emergency, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-updates-and-information/executive-orders.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 FROM THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/covid-19-start-page

OTHER:

• Schools: The first day of school is August 31, 2020. The school year will begin with distance learning.
• 2020 Census: All West Palm Beach residents are encouraged to respond to the Census. The Census gathers data that tells the story of our community and who we are. Data is used for many things including redistricting of state and federal legislative seats and the funding of local programs such as school meals, infrastructure improvements, and public health programs. You can respond to the Census now by visiting http://www.2020Census.gov or calling 844-330-2020.
• Hurricane Season: The Atlantic Hurricane Season is underway through November 30, 2020. The City of West Palm Beach has information to help you safely prepare, evacuate, and shelter for severe storms while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Read more about it here: https://www.wpb.org/our-city/storm-preparedness/covid-19-and-storm-season-copy

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.