April 24, 2020

DOH-Brevard and Community Partners Working Together to Combat COVID-19

Contact:
Communications Office
Anita.Stremmel@flhealth.gov
321-615-9323

Viera, Fla — Brevard County has 245 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community. This information is updated twice a day and can be found on the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 webpage.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard), along with healthcare partners, local government and other community partners are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and protecting the public. To keep the community informed of the status of these efforts, DOH-Brevard will be providing recurring updates.

"The importance of communications during times like this cannot be understated," said Maria Stahl, DOH-Brevard Health Officer. "We are in continuous contact with county-wide hospital systems, long-term care facilities, urgent care centers, Brevard Health Alliance, Brevard County Emergency Management, Brevard 2-1-1, Brevard County Jail, county officials, first responders and law enforcement."

"It is essential that elected officials at all levels of government continue to develop and implement appropriate and measured policy based upon apolitical expert medical advice such as that provided by epidemiologists, immunologists, community health directors, and hospital system administrators," said Brevard County Commission Chair Bryan Lober. "Between ongoing accessibility and data-driven expert opinions rendered by knowledgeable staff, FDOH has unquestionably prevented illness and saved lives."

Community Actions Being Taken to Respond to COVID-19

• DOH-Brevard established a COVID-19 call center for residents. The phone number is 321-454-7141 and is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
• Residents can call 2-1-1 for up to date COVID-19 information between 8:00AM and 6:00PM daily.
• Brevard County Emergency Management provides daily COVID-19 information through their website, Brevard County Emergency Management Facebook page, and twitter @BrevardEOC.
• Team Rubicon and Brevard County’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster have been instrumental in Brevard County’s response to COVID-19 pandemic. These groups along with Emergency Management have received and distributed food to existing and pop-up food pantries as well as supplies to various agencies and facilities.
• DOH-Brevard is providing COVID-19 education and prevention information for distribution through the faith-based pop-up food pantries United Way of Brevard provides information about available resources to assist
  Brevard’s individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 on their website.
• Brevard County Public Schools continues to offer meals for students are free or reduced lunch at 27 food distribution sites. Click this link for information.
• Space Coast Area Transit has waived fares through April 30. Bus routes are now available between 7 AM and 6 PM.

"Health First is working tirelessly to protect Brevard families from COVID-19," said Dr. Jeffrey Stalnaker, Health First Chief Physician Executive. "We are proud to provide free COVID-19 tests to Health First associates in identified areas and first responders, as well as expansive online healthcare services to help keep the community healthy. In a $2 million project, Health First converted 208 regular hospital rooms to negative pressure rooms to treat those with respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. Health First's free online COVID-19 symptom checker and stress support helpline are crucial and easy-to-use tools to help protect physical and mental health, and our Virtual Visits allow over 1,000 patients a day to connect with their primary care physician from the comfort of home. Health First also implemented a universal masking policy so that all associates, physicians and guests are required to wear masks. Health First is here for Brevard County during these difficult times, offering high-quality, trusted and reliable healthcare."

Sites for COVID-Testing in Brevard County

DOH-Brevard is offering appointment-only drive-through testing for the following at no cost. Call 321-454-7141 for screening and registration.

• Symptomatic individuals 65 and older
• Symptomatic individuals with underlying health conditions
• Symptomatic first responders and health care workers

Effective Monday, April 27, DOH-Brevard is offering appointment-only drive-through testing for any symptomatic individuals at no cost. Call 321-454-7141 for screening and registration.

Health First is offering drive-through testing for first responders; call 321-434-3131 for appointment. Identification and credentials required.

Omni Healthcare offers drive-through testing. Call 321-802-5515 to schedule an appointment. See OMNI Healthcare for more information.

Other providers may be offering testing as well. Call your healthcare provider to see if they are offering testing.

Visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 webpage for information on COVID-19. If you have questions, please call the Department’s COVID-19 Call Centers available 24/7 at 1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.