TreasureCoast Covid 19 Update May 5 2020
Day one of Florida’s gradual reopening is in the books.
Governor Ron DeSantis called this a “measured step” in the process of fighting the coronavirus pandemic. He also reinforced the importance of protecting senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions, both vulnerable populations. Florida’s coronavirus death toll stands at 13-hundred-99 after another 20 deaths were reported yesterday. The Department of Health says there are nearly 37-thousand cases statewide.
https://www.facebook.com/GovRonDeSantis/videos/229355651493500/
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The City of Fort Pierce announced Monday that it will be offering free drive-thru testing for 5 days.
The city has created a partnership with with Dynix Diagnostix, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, the Florida Department of Health, Indian River State College and other community partners to identify residents who are currently infected with COVID-19 or those who have been previously infected by the virus. The free testing will be offered by, appointment only, from May 11 through May 15 at Ilous Ellis Park located at 1211 Avenue M. The city said that during the 5 days a total of 1,200 individuals will be tested for COVID-19 or the presence of antibodies. Residents interested in being tested must complete a pre-screening survey. Those without internet access can call 888-519-9192 and press 1 for testing. The call center will be open Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The end may be near for falling gas prices across Florida and elsewhere.
AAA says the easing of stay-at-home restrictions has boosted optimism within the fuel market that demand will begin to rise, bringing with it higher pump prices. In Florida, the current statewide average is one-dollar-76-cents. That’s more than a dollar a gallon cheaper than this time a year ago.
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St. Lucie County Community Services is offering COVID-19 emergency assistance for the cost of housing.
The help is available to those in unincorporated St. Lucie County who meet certain income requirements. Financial assistance is being offered for rent and mortgage payments.
For more information on mortgage and rental assistance, log onto www.stluciecounty.gov or call the public information line at 772-460-HELP (4357). It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Publix is benefiting from pandemic-related shopping.
The Lakeland-based supermarket chain is reporting a 16-percent increase in first quarter sales revenue compared to a year ago. More than ten percent of its eleven-billion dollars in sales came from items people stocked up on for the coronavirus.
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Sloppy applications for unemployment are one reason the state’s computer system has been overwhelmed.
Department of Management Services Secretary Jonathan Satter says they continue to work to clear up the backlog. An effort is underway to get to the bottom of a problem that has left thousands of jobless residents frustrated. Governor DeSantis announced yesterday he’s calling for an investigation of the CONNECT reemployment system.
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Millions of dollars in federal relief payments are flowing into taxpayers’ bank accounts.
For people who still have not received a stimulus check, Tuesday is an important deadline. If you receive veterans disability compensation, a pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or your income level does not require you to file a tax return, then you need to submit information to the IRS to receive an Economic Impact Payment. If you are claiming dependents under the age of 17, you must provide the information by May 6th to get the extra money added to their stimulus checks. You could receive up to $500 per dependent.
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