In response to the global outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I want to take a few moments to share some basic information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. The safety of my constituents is of the utmost importance to me and my staff. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call my District office at (954) 733-2800.
Coronavirus
Staying Safe and Preventing Illness
Symptoms for confirmed COVID-19 cases have ranged from mild to severe symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
If you are concerned that you may have contracted COVID-19, please contact your primary care provider or county health department:
- Broward County: 954-467-4700
- Palm Beach County: 561-840-4500
Prevent the spread of COVID-19 with these tips from the CDC:
- Stay home whenever possible. If possible, plan to work remotely and practice social distancing of at least six feet when in public places.
- Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds throughout the day and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people. Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering when out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and care takers.
If you are concerned that you may have contracted Coronavirus, please contact your healthcare professional or county health department:
| Broward County |
954-467-4700 |
| Palm Beach County |
561-840-4500 |
Resources
Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-03 on March 26, 2020, urging residents to shelter in place and clarifying the definitions of essential businesses and essential employees. Read more here.
Broward County information hotline: 954-357-9500
Palm Beach County information hotline: 561-712-6400
COVID-19 Testing
Drive-through testing sites are available to individuals who meet the current CDC guidelines. Click here for a list of testing-eligibility criteria provided by Broward Health for mobile, drive-through testing, and information on how to make an appointment.
Fort Lauderdale: A drive-thru test site is open at Holiday Park, located at 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr. in Fort Lauderdale. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9AM to 6PM. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 1-800-209-7919. See more details: https://t.co/Lfai7h6JKc
Fort Lauderdale: A walk-up testing is located at the Urban League of Broward, 560 NW 27th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 9am-6pm. Call 954-412-7300 for an appointment. This site is open to anyone experiencing symptoms. More information is at this link: https://t.co/yvOSr39dsA Apr 17, 2020
Delray Beach: This drive through testing site is located at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM and Saturdays from 8AM - 12PM. Pre-approval and appointments are required and can be made by phone at 561-804-0250. The phone line will be open 7AM-7PM daily. Screening criteria will include presence of symptoms, exposures, and risk factors. More details are at this link: http://ow.ly/PjGx30qvxVs
Lauderhill: Broward Health is offering COVID-19 testing at Broward County’s Central Broward Park, 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311. Pre-registration & a doctor’s prescription are required. For details, visit https://t.co/k74e3QRQZ3 and https://t.co/HidA8wJpYp
Miami Gardens: The state of Florida drive-thru testing site in the east parking lot at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until resources run out for the day. Criteria is that patients be 65 and older or a first responder or health care provider, have a temperature of 99.6 degrees or higher and have COVID-19 symptoms or show signs of respiratory distress, according to a spokesperson for the Florida National Guard.
Pembroke Pines: Memorial Healthcare, the Florida National Guard and the Florida Department of Health will staff a multi-lane mobile coronavirus test site at C.B. Smith Park’s park-and-ride lot, 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines. Call Memorial Healthcare at 954-276-4680 for appointments. Patients must be in a car and carrying valid ID, and they will be screened at the entrance. The site will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Priority will be given to health care workers, first responders and people 65 and older who are showing symptoms of the new coronavirus.
Pompano Beach: A walk-up testing site is located at Mitchell Moore Park, 901 NW 10th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. The hours are 9am-6pm, every day except Thursdays. Call 954-412-7300 for an appointment. More information is at this link: https://t.co/xjfjA3PHUl Apr 17, 2020
Weston: Cleveland Clinic Weston’s Krupa Center, 3250 Meridian Parkway, Weston. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the Cleveland Clinic Florida appointment center at 954-659-5951 for screening. Florida Department of Health criteria is used to determine eligibility. Potential patients are screened by a nurse to see if they meet the criteria. Anyone who exhibits symptoms of the coronavirus can be tested at this location.
West Palm Beach: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, located at 5444 Haverhill Road West Palm Beach, Florida offers drive-thru testing. Entry is on Haverhill Road. Telephone registration and appointment scheduling will begin on Monday, March 30, 2020 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Preapproval and appointments are required. Call Health Care District of Palm Beach County testing line at (561) 642-1000 to make an appointment. On-site testing (swab sample collection only) will begin on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. A brief telephone interview will be conducted to determine eligibility for COVID-19 testing.
Unemployment Insurance
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a one-stop-shop for exploring careers and job training. The website also provides resources for filing for Unemployment Insurance,, a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Click here to learn more.
Small Business Disaster Loans
- The U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program is currently available to small business owners and nonprofits that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. Learn more about these loans and how to apply here.
- The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. Learn more about these loans and how to apply here.
Federal Tax Information
- The deadline to file federal income taxes for families and small businesses has been pushed back three months to July 15, 2020. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Read more from the IRS here.
Economic Impact Payments
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have launched the “Get My Payment” web application. The free tool (available online at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments) allows taxpayers who filed their tax return in 2018 or 2019, but did not provide their banking information on their return to submit direct deposit information. This will allow you to get your Economic Impact Payment through direct deposit instead of waiting for a check to arrive in the mail.
- If you do not file taxes, a second application has been created to provide simple information, so you can get your Economic Impact Payment.
Healthcare Information
- Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the coronavirus pandemic to ensure beneficiaries are able to visit with their doctor from home, without having to go to a doctor’s office or hospital. Learn more here.
- Florida Blue’s network of primary care doctors and specialists will be able to treat patients virtually at their normal office visit rates. Please call Teladoc directly at 800-835-2362 or find more information at the Florida Blue website by clicking here.
- The Florida Department of Health has a dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida available here.
- For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the DOH’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Advisories
Port Everglades Advisory
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recommends all individuals experiencing symptoms who have recently traveled through Port Everglades to immediately contact their CHD or health care provider and self-isolate for 14 Days. CDC recommends that individuals with recent travel history on a cruise monitor their health for 14 days and, if they develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact their CHD or health care provider.
Nile Cruise Advisory
The Florida Department of Health is advising all individuals who traveled to Egypt for a cruise or tour on the Nile River in February or March 2020 to self-isolate for 14 days following their date of return to the United States, and if ill, immediately contact their CHD or health care provider.
School Meal Programs
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched meal sites that will help feed hungry families while schools are closed. Families who receive free and reduced-price meals may search for the most convenient location by using the Summer Breakspot website, available here.
