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As a service to residents and the business community of the Treasure Coast, Indian River Magazine Inc. is providing free updates on changes in operations that affect businesses in the region because of the coronavirus. If you have news to report, please email Gregory Enns at enns@indianrivermag.com If you find this letter useful, please share it. To subscribe to this newsletter, click here.
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Indian River, Martin report cases of coronavirus
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Two Treasure Coast counties are now reporting cases of COVID-19, with two cases in Indian River County and one in Martin County.
The Florida Department of Health’s report released at 11 a.m. today showed a total of 520 cases in the state and 10 deaths from the disease.
The report showed that one man and one woman tested positive for the disease in Indian River County. One case is that of a 69-year-old male who recently traveled to Egypt and Germany. The other case is of a 77-year-old female with no history of recent travel out of the country.
Martin County was also showing one positive case, that of a 45-year-old woman who had recently traveled to Brazil. The report so far is showing no cases for St. Lucie County.
While the latest reports reveal the first cases of coronavirus, statistics available so far aren’t revealing the results of a large portion of those recently tested.
For example, Cleveland Clinic Treasure Coast CEO Dr. Wael Barsoum told TCPalm.com Thursday that 340 people had been tested so far at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, including a woman who tested positive. The hospital is in Stuart in Martin County.
But the daily report released Thursday by the Florida Department of Health showed that just 12 people had been tested in Martin County, showing the positive results for the woman, one negative result and results for 10 other people still pending.
Health officials weren’t immediately available to explain the lag time between taking the test and the time it becomes a statistics on the state report made available to the public.
Friday’s report showed that 22 people had been tested in Indian River County, with 11 negative results in addition to the two positive. Results are still pending for nine people. St. Lucie County was still reporting nine tests — the same as Thursday — with five negative and results pending on four tests. Martin County reported 15 tests, with five results pending and nine negative results, in addition to the one positive.
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IRSC postpones spring commencement, details remote operations plan
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Spring break at Indian River State College ends today, and the college will continue maintain operations remotely with limited services on site. In order to observe to the latest guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control, IRSC is implementing the following measures:
• All online classes will continue as scheduled on Monday.
• All hybrid and face-to-face courses will adjust to fully online formats and resume on March 30.
• Workforce programs and courses that rely on significant contact hours will have alternative plans developed, and faculty will reach out to students in these areas. These courses will also resume on March 30.
• All IRSC athletic events, planetarium shows, fine arts performances, and public pool hours have been suspended indefinitely.
• The IRSC Child Development Center is closed until further notice.
Additional steps IRSC is initiating:
• IRSC’s spring commencement ceremonies have been postponed. The college is evaluating alternative means to celebrate spring graduates and is working to ensure that graduates who want to take part in commencement exercises have a future opportunity to do so.
• No IRSC events of any kind are to take place with 10 or more individuals until at least April 15, 2020, or in the event the CDC deems gatherings safe again.
• IRSC will evaluate all future events on a rolling schedule, determining the status of an event no later than two weeks prior to the event.
• Any meeting of 10 or more individuals that is necessary must be done so in an online/virtual format.
• In addition to the continuation of most classes in virtual format, IRSC will offer student services virtually where possible.
• The college will be closed to students during the week of March 23 to 27. IRSC employees will use the week to develop alternative delivery methods for the libraries, labs, testing centers, and more. Students, however, are encouraged to reach out to their instructors and/or assigned advisors during this week if there are questions or concerns regarding the adjustment to online learning.
As Indian River State College continues to shift its operations online to the extent possible, employees will work with their immediate supervisor in advance of March 23 to establish an alternating work schedule on site or a remote work plan.
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CenterState Bank branches convert to drive-thru only
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Beginning today, CenterState Bank is converting its branch operations to drive-thru only. “Our intent is to ensure the safety and health of our employees and customers,’’ the bank said in a statement.
The statement said that the any business that can be conducted in the lobbies, including opening accounts and account maintenance, can be conducted in the drive-thru lanes. Branch business such as access to safe deposit boxes can still be conducted inside by appointment. CenterState’s Customer Care number is 855.863.2265.
Meanwhile, CenterState Bank CEO John Corbett also announced a forbearance program for existing borrowers who may have difficulty making loan payments as a result of disruption to their business because of COVID-19. “If an existing customer needs additional assistance, we will work with you and available government programs to try to make that capital available as quickly as possible,’’ Corbett said.
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Public Catholic Masses suspended
All public Catholic Masses in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River counties and the rest of the Diocese of Palm Beach have been suspended.
The Most Rev. Gerald M. Barbarito announced this week, along with the other bishops of Florida, that public Mass gatherings will not be available beginning today until further notice.
“I want to stress that the celebration of Masses by the dedicated priests of our Diocese is not suspended and will continue to be celebrated in each of the churches of our diocese on a daily and Sunday basis, even though public participation is excluded,’’ Barbarito said.
The diocese also announced that many parishes will livestream their Masses. For a list of livestream Masses and times visit https://www.diocesepb.org/
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Indian River County activates call center
Indian River County has activated a call center for people with questions about the coronavirus and local restrictions. The number is 772.226.4000 and is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Grocery chains provide ‘senior shopping hours’
Publix, Florida’s largest grocery chain with 830 stores, is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7 to 8 a.m. as senior shopping hours for customers 65 and over. “According to the CDC, individuals over the age of 65 are at increased risk of complications from the coronavirus,’’ Publix said in a news release. “Publix is offering these expanded hours to better support our elder community.’’
Other grocery chains are providing special hours for seniors. Winn-Dixie set aside 8 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Fresh Market has designated 8 to 9 a.m. weekdays as senior hour and Dollar General will be available to seniors one hour before stores open every day. Walmart will open one hour early beginning Tuesday for customers 60 and older. Target will open one hour before stores open every Wednesday.
IRC tax collector suspends some walk-in services
Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordanhas temporarily suspended most services, including road tests for driver licenses, that require physical appearance in the four Tax Collector office locations.
Jordan said Thursday her office suspended service through the end of March for transportation worker identification credentials, card applications and fingerprinting for the State of Florida andhazmat designations. Additionally, road tests for driver licenses will not be available and TSA pre-check appointments will be limited.
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Animal shelter seeks temporary foster homes
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is seeking foster homes for shelter pets. “We need to quickly reduce the number of animals living in our shelter in anticipation of an increase in our intakes and decrease in adoptions,’’ said Kate Meghji, executive director of the shelter.
Those interested in fostering a shelter pet temporarily can submit a volunteer application by visiting https://www.hsvb.org/volunteer.html.
Post Insurance converts to remote service
Post Insurance has suspended walk-in service at its location at 146 NW Central Park Plaza in Port St. Lucie.
“Given that many of our clients and staff are part of the high-risk vulnerable populations, we have made the difficult decision to close our physical office to walk-in traffic at 5 p.m. today,’’ agency owner Kathy Post said in press release Thursday. “Thankfully, we have invested in ways our staff can still serve you.’’
Post said employees are working remotely from home and can provide service. The company can be contacted 772.878.8184 or info@insurewithpost.com. The company’s Web site is at www.InsureWithPost.com.
Dow Decorating curtails hours
Dow Decorating in Port St. Lucie is curtailing its hours to Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Our store will remain open as long as the health and safety of our customers and ourselves are fine,’’ owners David and Kathy Dow said in a statement.
The statement said the company is also available to provide advice on projects via email, telephone or video chat. The company, based at 1489 St. Lucie West Blvd., can be reached at 772.678.1040.
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PSL changes rules for public meetings
To deal with the coronavirus crisis and abide by social distancing guidelines, the City of Port St. Lucie will limit the number of people who can attend Monday’s 6 p.m. City Council meeting. Those who are not able to attend will be able to submit questions and comments electronically. The meeting will be aired live on PSL TV 20 on Comcast and Channel 99 on U-verse. It will also be aired live on the city’s website, cityofpsl.com.
Meanwhile, the city Saints Golf Course and the 19th Hole restaurant remain open as well as the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. However, the pavilion at the gardens will be closed beginning Monday.
Lyric Theatre still selling tickets
The Lyric Theatre in Stuart continues to sell tickets to summer shows and performances rescheduled for the season. The theater’s website is at LyricTheatre.com
Executive Director Kia Fontaine said staff members are working to contact patrons for canceled shows. For tickets sold for future shows, she said the theater will “continue to have a relaxed policy for returning tickets for credits moving forwarded as needed based on the situation at that time.’’
Fontaine said patrons can show support by donating the value of tickets to canceled shows as a tax-deductible donation to the theater, make a donation or purchase gift certificates for future performances.
Cobalt restaurant remains open
Cobalt restaurant in Vero continues to serve patrons.
“We’re carefully monitoring the situation and working with local authorities,’’ a statement released by the restaurant said. “At this time, our doors remain open, and we have the appropriate safety measures in place with limited seating available.’’
The restaurant’s menu, including takeout, can be seen at cobaltrestaurant.com. The phone number is 772.469.1060.
Sewall’s Point City Hall closes
The town of Sewall’s Point closed City Hall after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed Thursday in Martin County.
A statement released by the town said city services could be accessed by phone at 772.287.2455 or by website at www.sewallspoint.org
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Fort Pierce garden remains open
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Heathcote Botanical Gardens remains open, though with reduced hours. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
The gardens are open until 3 p.m. today, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. For future hours, visit HeathcoteBotanicalGardens.org
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Vero’s Hope for Families needs donations
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The Hope For Families Center in Vero Beach remains open, caring for families because of work and school restrictions. Monetary donations can be made by calling 772.467.5537 or visiting hopeforfamiliescenter.org
Food donations may be dropped off directly at the center at 420 4th St., Vero Beach, 32962.
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Brewery open for takeout and delivery
American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach has limited services to takeout and delivery. The brewery will provide these services from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Reach the brewery at 772.934.4266 or americaniconbrewery.com
Governor urges completion of business damage survey
Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging small businesses to complete a survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida businesses. The results of the survey will help the state implement relief programs.
The survey can be taken at https://floridadisaster.biz. Surveys submitted by small businesses can be used to access the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
Association reports 305,146 jobs lost in hotel industry
The American Hotel & Lodging Association has reported that 88,631 hotel jobs have been directly lost in Florida because of COVID-19 while a total of 305,146 total jobs have been lost supporting the industry.
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Natalie’s continues at full capacity
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Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company continues to operate at full capacity during the peak harvesting season.
We are family and we are here for you as we’ve always been,’’ a statement released by the Fort Pierce-based company said. “We are determined to carry on in the best way we know how, and that’s together.’’
Read more about the steps the company is taking
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Sebastian chamber offers Webinar
The Sebastian Chamber of commerce is offering a Webinar series on helping small businesses and non-profits deal with the COVID-19. The series begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday and features Ken Lawson, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Tom Kindred, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center. Register here
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Does your business have news of a temporary closing or change in operations due to COVID-19 that you would like us to share with readers of this newsletter?
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BE PART OF THE BUSINESS CONVERSATION ON THE TREASURE COAST
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Let us help you promote your business in Indian River, the largest and most widely distributed magazine on the Treasure Coast, and on our Web sites, indianrivermagazine.com and tcbusiness.com, and through this weekly e-newsletter and our widely followed social media pages. Become an Indian River partner today.
• In Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie contact Lisa Crawford at lisa@indianrivermag.com or 516.721.0848.
• In Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound contact Marsha Lange at marsha@indianrivermag.com
or 772.237.1717.
• In Fort Pierce contact Sunny Gates at sunny@indianrivermag.com or 772.204.5043.
• Outside the Treasure Coast, contact Publisher Gregory Enns at enns@indianrivermag.com or 772.940.9005.
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