SUMMARY: Palm Beach County had a 13.3% COVID-19 positivity rate on August 14, 2020. The Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center has now reopened with some COVID-19 related restrictions. The Mandel Public Library has expanded its curbside service to include Saturdays and added a new “Mobile Print” service for PC users. Please continue to take precautions-- such as hand-washing, the wearing of masks/facial coverings, and social distancing—to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 DATA (data current as of 8/14/20, unless otherwise noted):
Total Florida Cases: 557,901
Positive Residents: 551,232
Hospitalizations: 32,537
Florida Resident Deaths: 8,913
Non-resident Deaths: 134
New cases of Florida residents: 6,331 on 8/12/20
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
ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY OUR PARTNERS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES:
- PBC Executive Order 2020-18 Palm Beach County has issued Executive Order 18, which became effective at 12:01 a.m. on August 12, 2020. The order provides revised restrictions for massage and acupuncture businesses and establishments. Businesses providing massage and massage therapy and/or acupuncture by persons licensed under applicable Florida Statutes are allowed to operate in Palm Beach County under the Phase 1 restrictions.
Unlicensed facilities and practitioners must remain closed. This order repeals and replaces Order 2020-015. Massage and acupuncture are the only businesses affected by the modified order. Consumers should be aware that if they are obtaining services, they should be performed by a licensed individual.
- PBC Executive Order 2020-017 Palm Beach County has issued Emergency Order 2020-017 on August 7, 2020. The order adopts all state-issued emergency orders and outlines the penalties businesses and individuals may be subject to if they are found in violation of active emergency orders.
The order can be seen here: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2390
- 20th Extension of Declaration of Emergency The City of West Palm Beach issued the 20th Extension of the Public Health Emergency Declaration on August 4, 2020. This extends the state of emergency through August 11, 2020. The extension can be viewed here: https://www.wpb.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2371
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, 8:30 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.
- 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.
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:
- 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
