Palm Beach County Coronavirus Positivity Rate Is Now Just Over 12%

From the City of West Palm Beach:

July 24, 2020

SUMMARY: Palm Beach County had a 12.1% COVID-19 positivity rate on July 24, 2020. For your health and safety and that of others, please follow CDC guidance and local emergency orders pertaining to facial coverings and social distancing. A State of Emergency remains in effect for West Palm Beach due to COVID-19.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DATA (data current as of 7/24/20, unless otherwise noted):

Total Florida Cases: 402,312

Positive Residents: 385,091

Hospitalizations: 23,225

Florida Resident Deaths: 5,653

Non-resident Deaths: 115

New cases of Florida residents: 12,462

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

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

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

ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR PARTNERS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:

• PBC: Palm Beach County approved a countywide mask mailout program. Every residential address in Palm Beach County is to receive four masks. For information, please visit: http://discover.pbcgov.org/Lists/Newsroom/NewsDispForm.aspx?ID=2982&RootFolder=%2FLists%2FNewsroom&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover%2Epbcgov%2Eorg%2Fcoronavirus%2FPages%2Fnews%2Darchive%2Easpx
• PBC: Palm Beach County issued Emergency Orders 2020-15 and 2020-16 to clarify restrictions on operating hours of restaurants, food establishments and facial coverings.
  • No establishment will serve alcohol for on-site consumption between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. No establishment serving food on indoor or outdoor on-site consumption between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  • The countywide facial coverings directive was extended until 12:01 a.m. on August 23, 2020. Palm Beach County’s Emergency Order 2020-012 requires masks or face coverings in Palm Beach County. The order states that it is applicable in all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County. Violations can be reported by calling (561)-24COVID or emailing covidcompliance@pbcgov.org. Violations are subject to fines and/or other remedies. To view the executive order, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home/showdocument?id=2274.
• SCHOOLS: School District of Palm Beach County voted to delay the start of school. The first day of school is August 31, 2020. The school year will begin with distance learning.

CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH OPERATIONS, REOPENINGS:

• GRASSY WATERS PRESERVE TRAIL SYSTEM: The Hog Hammock Trail, Eagle Trail, and Owahee Trail systems are open. The Apoxee Trail, under renovation, and Cypress Boardwalk Trail remain closed. The visitors center remains closed.

• PUBLIC PARKS: All public parks within the City are open for outdoor recreation purposes, but CDC social distancing guidelines must be followed, per Palm Beach County Order No. 7. Walking trails and open spaces are currently available while playgrounds, fitness equipment, parking lots, picnic pavilions, restrooms and other common areas remain closed.

• TENNIS & RAQUETBALL COURTS: The City’s tennis and racquetball courts are open for public use. Usage must comply with restrictions outlined in PBC Order No. 2020-11.
• PHIPPS SKATE PARK: Open to the public with COVID-19 restrictions in place. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (561) 835-7170.
• LIBRARY: The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach provides contactless walk-up pickup service. The new service allows patrons to pick up physical library materials Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice. For information, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/548/16
• TROLLEY: City trolley service is suspended until further notice.
• QUESTIONS: Questions for the City can be emailed to 822@wpb.org. The Mayor’s Special Response Hotline is (561) 822-2222.
• 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.

COVID-19 SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE:

• The CARES Mortgage Assistance Program offered by Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability is open for West Palm Beach homeowners who have been negatively affected by COVID-19. For information: https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/532/16
• CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Rent and Utilities Assistance Program: West Palm Beach residents are encouraged to apply for Palm Beach County’s ‘CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Rent and Utilities Assistance Program’. The program provides one-time assistance for past due rental and/or utility balances to residents. The City of West Palm Beach’s Housing and Community Development Department is offering appointments for help completing the application to ONLY West Palm Beach residents. To schedule an appointment, interested parties shall contact (561) 822-1274 (TTY: 800-955-8771).
• FOOD STAMPS & REEMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS: For West Palm Beach residents only, the City’s Housing & Community Development Department is providing help with completing applications for food stamps and reemployment assistance. Please dial (561) 822-1274 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

• A Note on behalf of our partners at FPL regarding FPL Bill Payment Assistance: Having trouble paying your FPL bill because of COVID-19? You may qualify for local, state and/or federal financial assistance, which has increased significantly due to the pandemic. And, we’re here to help. All it takes is a phone call. We will continue working closely with you to do everything we can to avoid turning lights off for nonpayment, which is and has always been a last resort. Call us directly at 800-226-3545.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AND CITY-RELATED NEWS/INFORMATION, 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.