City Of West Palm Beach Coronavirus Update For Sept. 18

From City of West Palm Beach:

September 18, 2020

SUMMARY: Palm Beach County had a 3.77% COVID-19 daily positivity rate on September 17, 2020. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines by wearing facial coverings/masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands. A county directive mandating facial masks in public places remains in effect.

ASSISTANCE:

• NEW – FPL Offers Relief to Customers Experiencing Financial Hardship – FPL announced a plan offering direct relief to customers significantly behind on their bills. Some customers may be eligible for a bill credit up to $200 based on their account status. Call FPL at (800) 226-3545 for more information.
• NEW – Palm Beach County Provides Direct Assistance For Food Aid – The Palm Beach County Board Community Services Department will issue pre-paid debit cards to approved residents to purchase food. Interested residents can learn more here: https://www.pbcgov.com/OSCARSS
• CARES Act Food Assistance Available: West Palm Beach residents may apply for CARES Act Food Assistance offered by Palm Beach County to eligible residents of Palm Beach County under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. For information, please visit: https://www.rentalassistancepbc.org/.
• PBC Emergency Repair Program, established by Coronavirus Relief Fund: This program helps eligible homeowners who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance with home repairs. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/764/16.
• Mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief orders extended: Palm Beach County Executive Order 20-211 provides a limited, one-month extension until 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2020 to Executive Order 20-180, which made significant changes to prior versions of the mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief orders. https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2453

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 STATISTICAL DATA can be viewed here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bcfddbc51de6493e819db001274317e8/

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

• Questions: Questions for the City can be emailed to 822@WPB.ORG. The Mayor’s Special Response Hotline is (561) 822-2222.
• Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (866) 779-6121 or email covid-19@flhealth.gov with questions.
• COVID-19 Compliance Task Force: This task force will receive and follow up on reports of non-compliance related to CDC and State guidelines for operating businesses. To report potential violations, call (561-24COVID or send an email to CovidCompliance@pbcgov.org.
• Testing offered by the Health Care District: (561) 423-1000.

TESTING & HEALTH

• 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

CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH OPERATIONS, REOPENINGS:

• NEW- Declaration of Local Emergency Extended to September 22, 2020: The 26th extension of the Public Health Emergency concerning COVID-19 was signed on September 15, 2020 by Mayor Keith A. James. Read the order: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2534
• Mandel Public Library Reopened: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach has reopened and currently offers limited in-person visits. Patrons will be able to browse the library for one hour while observing social distancing guidelines. The library has a wide variety of digital offerings for library cardholders, including e-books and audiobooks, streaming TV and movies, music downloads, databases and more. For more information, please call (561) 868-7701 (TTY 800-955-8771 or visit Digital Library for more information on how to Connect 24/7 to the library. For more information, please visit: http://www.wpb.org/government/mandel-public-library-of-west-palm-beach
• City Park Facilities Reopened: The City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened splash pads, fitness equipment, playgrounds and basketball courts aligning with Palm Beach county Emergency Order No. 20-21. Pavilions, sports fields and recreation centers remain closed. Basketball courts, tennis courts and racquetball courts will close at sundown. Use of these installations will be at your own risk.
• GreenMarket Returns: The City of West Palm Beach has announced the popular market will open on schedule, with an October 3, 2020 start date. The popular event will focus on shopping rather socializing and will comply with CDC recommendations.
• 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.

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

• NEW- PALM BEACH COUNTY TO REVIEW PHASE 2 TIMELINES: The Board of County Commissioners directed the Executive Policy Group to review the county’s Phase 2 plans and possibly move up the timelines for certain types of businesses to reopen. No deadline for the review was set.

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:

• 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.