Palm Beach County Commission
District 4
From the desk of
Vice Mayor Robert S. Weinroth
All the news that's fit to print...
COVID-19 vaccine update

At the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Jan. 12 meeting, we received a COVID-19 update from Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Palm Beach County, wherein she noted:

  •  An email blast is being sent by FDOH to seniors who sent an email requesting a vaccine appointment. The email will confirm receipt of request for an appointment and provide information on fulfilling the request. 
  • Appointments could take months due to the current lack of supply. Your email will be kept in a queue, and as more vaccine and appointment options become available, you will be contacted.
  • To make an appointment, send an email to chd50feedback@flhealth.gov and include your name, address, date of birth, and telephone number. Please do not send repeated emails as they will only clog up the system.
  • Problems with FDOH’s senior hotline (561-625-5180) are being addressed and additional lines are being added. FDOH urges everyone to use the above referenced email for an appointment, as it will be more expedient.
  • To date, the FDOH-Palm Beach County has only received approximately 42,000 vaccines. They are vaccinating approximately 500 people per day. Weekly shipments are being sent by the state and are averaging approximately 4,000 vaccines. 
  • While there are no residency requirements pursuant to the Governor’s executive order, ''vaccine tourism" will not be tolerated.
  • All appointments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are currently more than 120,000 seniors registered for the vaccine.
  • The Governor recently announced deployment of vaccines directly to churches in underserved communities. And, we anticipate vaccines being available at Publix in the coming weeks.
  • The current Executive Order identifies hospital personnel, health care workers, assisted living and long-term care health facilities, emergency responders, and seniors (65 plus) as eligible vaccine recipients. 
Palm Beach County's role in vaccine rollout
The county is playing a supportive role to the FDOH, the lead agency in charge of the vaccination rollout.

The county's emergency officials are ready, willing and able to facilitate the mass distribution of vaccines. There are far fewer doses of the vaccine available than the number of high priority vaccination individuals, which has created a challenge in implementing large-scale vaccination operations.

Once sufficient doses are received, the county will assist in utilizing fixed regionally located vaccination centers, points of distribution, clinic operations and pop-up community sites.

The distribution and allotment of the vaccine is under the control of the state of Florida through the FDOH and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

The county team of emergency managers and my fellow commissioners have no jurisdiction over the vaccine rollout nor can we override the Governor's Executive Order.  The email and appointments for vaccines are handled by the FDOH-Palm Beach County staff
How to become a Point of Distribution site
Private communities may establish their own vaccination locations by contracting directly with a registered Florida Shots healthcare provider regarding eligibility to receive direct shipments of the vaccine when they become available. 

For these Point-of-Distribution sites (PODs), there is no direct role for FDOH or FDEM in scheduling or logistics.

The PODs established at Century Village and Kings Point were organized by the Governor and the FDEM. 
Vaccine fraud alert
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg has issued a warning for the public to beware of scams related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The FBI has reported that scammers purporting to sell the vaccine are trying to mislead people to give money and personal information such as social security numbers.

Aronberg says there have been no reported cases in Palm Beach County, but he has been working closely with law enforcement to crack down on potential scams affecting local residents.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free to the public and only a $15 administrative fee can be charged.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, call your local law enforcement agency.
COVID-19 testing site updates
Town Center at Boca Raton Mall
This state testing site is open.
6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 33431 (Sears parking lot)

  • Walk-up site; every day, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Any age; with or without symptoms
  • No appointment necessary
  • PCR/molecular and rapid antigen testing

FAU Tech Runway at Florida Atlantic University
901 NW 35th Street, Boca Raton, 33431

  • Walk-up site, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Any age, with or without symptoms
  • PCR/molecular testing by appointment only, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Call 1-800-209-7919 for an appointment.
  • Rapid antigen testing, no appointment necessary, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches
5444 Haverhill Rd., West Palm Beach, 33407

  • Drive-through site, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Any age, with or without symptoms, no appointments necessary
  • PCR/molecular testing appointment only, 8 a.m. – noon
  • Call 561-642-1000 (Health Care District) for an appointment.
  • Rapid antigen testing, no appointment necessary, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

To preregister with your information for antigen testing, go to: https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/

For an updated list of over 115 testing sites (public and private) please click here.
COVID-19 compliance reminders
Facial coverings are still in place, as per Emergency Order 2020-012.

Additionally, all individuals, businesses and establishments are required to adhere to:

  • Social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols, such as those in guidelines issued by the CDC (relating to enhanced cleaning and disinfecting guidance for reopening).

The COVID-19 Education Compliance Team will continue to inspect establishments, and education remains the team’s primary focus. The public comment line is 561-24COVID, and the email is covidcompliance@pbcgov.org.

The county is currently in Phase 3 re-openings. All capacity limitations have been lifted and businesses may operate at 100% capacity while adhering to CDC guidelines.

For more information, click here.
COVID-19 cases
Palm Beach County   
Total positive cases: 94,872 (+878)      
Total patients hospitalized: 5,302 (+22)           
Cumulative deaths reported : 2,003 (+20)    
     
Florida 
Total positive cases: 1,531,192 (+13,720)  
Total patients hospitalized: 67,036 (+402)       
Cumulative deaths reported: 23,613 (+217)     
Volunteer physicians needed
shot_preparation.jpg
The Palm Beach County Medical Society is working with the Palm Beach County Department of Health to execute the distribution of vaccines through a network of volunteer physicians when the vaccine becomes available.

Retired physicians, or physicians with extra time who want to volunteer with the local vaccination rollout, can contact John James, the society’s director of Public Health and Disaster Services, at johnj@pbcms.org or (772) 284-2069.

Physicians are required to complete a Medical Reserve Corps application and have a recent background check to be eligible to volunteer. 
Covid app available




All Combat COVID app users who have been in close proximity to a COVID-19-positive person will receive a push notification recommending they get tested immediately, without revealing anyone’s personal identity. Suggested locations for testing are also provided.
 
Unlike other apps, CombatCOVID doesn't use GPS or location notification in its architecture. The app user’s privacy and identity are protected. No names, email addresses, locations or personal identifying information is required or acquired by the app.
 
Your device’s phone number is encrypted and never shared with anyone including local health officials. All data and information about a device in close proximity to another device is ONLY stored on the device.
Food resources
Food Finder Map
United Way offers an Interactive Food Finder map to assist in locating free food and hot meals throughout Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County Food Bank
To find food distribution sites through the Palm Beach County Food Bank, please click here.

Feeding South Florida
To find food distribution sites through Feeding South Florida, please click here.

School District of Palm Beach County
Breakfast and lunch is free to all students attending school in person on campus. The district also offers free grab-and-go curbside meal pickup on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those who have remained in distance learning. Please click here for updated times and locations.
We're here for you!
Call or email if you need assistance.
561-355-2204
rweinroth@pbcgov.org