PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR MONDAY UPDATE

Today is Monday, April 27, 2020 and we are in week seven of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.

We are pleased to be able to offer the Village Connect updates in Español. We created a separate email distribution list for the English and Spanish versions of these updates. If you have been receiving the Village Connect updates, then you are already signed up for the English version.

·         If you are not receiving Village Connect and would like to receive it in English sign up here.

·         If you wish to unsubscribe from the English version please select unsubscribe in the small text at the bottom of this update.

·         To sign up for Village Connect en Español click here.

This State of Emergency will last longer than anyone would like

We all want a quick end to this pandemic. We want our lives to return to normal, but we need to remember why that cannot happen yet. We have not yet reached the projected peak of this virus. The number of positive cases is still increasing daily in Miami-Dade County. The County Mayor and your Village government agree that it is too soon to re-open beaches and parks. Please be patient. Our beaches remain closed for your safety and the safety of all residents to minimize everyone’s potential contact with the virus. The more everyone complies with Emergency Orders, the sooner we can get back to the activities and places we love.

·         BEACHES ARE STILL CLOSED.

·         PARKS ARE STILL CLOSED.

Current Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Status

Village of Key Biscayne Cases as Percentage of the Population

Cases on the Key

The data found in the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) daily report may differ from data available on Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard. Data in these reports are provisional and subject to change. FDOH is now providing only one report each day, as opposed to an A.M. and a P.M. report. As of today, the FDOH report indicates 62 positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. We do not receive personal information about infected residents from FDOH.

Per data the Foundation provided to the Village, 392 residents have been tested since the launch of the pilot drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. Per data the Foundation provided to the Village, 392 residents have been tested since the launch of the pilot drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. To date, this has yielded 7 positive cases. The patients were notified by BioCollections Worldwide, Inc.

Per data from Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, 42 residents have been tested to date through the COVID-19 pilot mobile testing unit, resulting in the identification of 4 positive cases. The patients were notified by Firefighter Paramedics.

COVID-19 Testing

There is a global demand for COVID-19 testing, as a result testing is contingent on availability of testing resources. Testing is geared toward protecting high-risk residents including 65-years-old and older experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are immunocompromised, have diabetes, heart or pulmonary conditions. Testing is made by appointment only. Appointments are made through the Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Response Call Center (305-365-8910), which operates Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pilot Drive-Thru Testing Site

The Village of Key Biscayne and Key Biscayne Community Foundation continue to work collaboratively to serve Key Biscayne residents through the drive-thru testing site. Testing is available on Tuesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 30 contingent upon the availability of test kits and testing resources. The drive-thru testing site located at St. Agnes Catholic Church operates from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To make an appointment, residents can call the COVID-19 Response Call Center or go to KBCovidTesting.org.

Pilot Mobile Testing Unit (MTU)

The Village of Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, operating autonomously, can supplement the drive-thru testing through their mobile testing unit, as needed, subject to the availability of tests and a safe and healthy workforce. The mobile testing unit is geared toward homebound residents who meet the eligibility criteria. It will operate on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1.

Alternative Testing Options 

To learn more about other existing testing locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.

Latest Updates:

Virtual Village Council Meeting Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

To view the meeting agenda visit www.keybiscayne.fl.gov. Elected officials and Village staff will participate through video conference. Members of the public may watch or call in to the virtual public meeting live by following these instructions: Click Here For Instructions

Your Health

Many people are scared to visit a hospital these days, but do not neglect your personal health out of fear over the coronavirus. Hospitals are handling non-COVID-19-related medical emergencies with caution and care. Please seek appropriate medical attention if needed. If you or a loved one are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergencies, Key Biscayne Fire Rescue is equipped to help. Our Firefighter Paramedics can provide immediate assistance and get you to the hospital.

Building, Zoning and Planning Department:

Update: Connecting to Sanitary Sewer

The Department of Environmental Resources (DERM) has extended the deadline for compliance to abandon septic and connect to sanitary sewer by 90 days, until September 30, 2020. This extension will be revisited in approximately 60 days and the extension for compliance may be adjusted accordingly as deemed necessary.

Key Biscayne Police Department:

Emergency Order 20-7 effective as of April 22, 2020

This Emergency Order prohibits discretionary (nonessential) travel by all non-residents arriving on non-motorized vehicles from entering the Village of Key Biscayne as of Wednesday, April 22, 2020. To date, KBPD has asked 2,695 cyclists to turn around at Calusa Circle, just before the entrance to the Village.

Emergency Order 20-6: The CDC Advises Who Should NOT Wear Facial Coverings

Please note that the Village’s Order requires facial coverings inside essential businesses consistent with CDC guidelines. CDC guidelines, as provided here, advise against cloth facial coverings being 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 Key Biscayne Community Center’s Adults and Seniors Programs Coordinator, Roxy Lohuis-Tejeda, creates a “50+ Corner Virtual Calendar” filled with activities for each week. Check out what there is to do this week.

We have answers to your COVID-19-related frequently asked questions.

Congresswoman Rep. Donna Shalala will be hosting a Tele-Town Hall Meeting for Village of Key Biscayne Residents on Monday, May 4, 2020 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. through Zoom. This meeting will include special guests Village of Key Biscayne Mayor Michael Davey, State Representative Nick Duran, and State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez.

To participate use Zoom Webinar ID: 895 0791 4463 Password: 325611

Village of Key Biscayne Department Updates:

Key Biscayne Police Department:

Emergency Order 20-7 effective as of April 22, 2020

This Emergency Order prohibits discretionary (nonessential) travel by all non-residents arriving on non-motorized vehicles from entering the Village of Key Biscayne as of Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

To date, KBPD has asked 2,695 cyclists to turn around.

Guidelines for Living by the New Rules

We are providing guidance specifically for condominiums, apartments, and multi-family dwellings. These are the rules we are all living by at this time, but it may be harder to know how to apply them in a non-single-family-home setting. This guide aims to assist everyone in complying with the Emergency Orders.

See Something, Say Something

Public safety is one of the core pillars of our community. We encourage you to join the Village in our efforts to keep Key Biscayners home and safe #KBStayHome. If you see someone not practicing social distance, please report it to KBPD by calling (305) 365-5555. Failure to follow Emergency Orders puts us all at greater risk. #ItTakesAVillage

Key Biscayne Community Center:

The KBCC has worked hard to provide residents with at-home fitness options from their regularly scheduled trainers and instructors. The new Fitness Calendar has all the information you need to work out from home with KBCC fitness instructors and personal trainers.

Communications:

How can I receive notifications and updates? 

Sign up at the links below:

·         Village Emergency Alert Notifications: (Everbridge) Opt to receive a text message notification on your mobile phone from the Village Information and Notification System, including public safety or traffic alerts and information of special interest to the community.

·         Village Connect: (Constant Contact) Receive Village Public Service Announcements (PSA) emails from the Manager’s Office with traffic/construction alerts, public notices, special events & meetings, and information of special interest to the community.

If you would like to share this update, a link is available upon request. Send an email to response@keybiscayne.fl.gov with the subject: Link.

Website Resources:

View all response updates and other information on the Village of Key Biscayne website:

·         COVID-19 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

·         ALL VILLAGE NEWS FOR COVID-19

·         COVID-19 EXECUTIVE and EMERGENCY ORDERS

·         COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

·         VILLAGE VIDEOS FOR COVID-19

·         COVID-19 LINKS TO UPDATES FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES

Building, Planning and Zoning/Public Works Department:

Permit Applications Allowed

The Village of Key Biscayne’s Building, Zoning and Planning Department will be allowing new permit applications for emergency repairs. To learn how the Department is currently operating and to learn more about new permits being issued at this time click here. To open the Building Application Permit form click here.

·         Applications (with licenses/insurance) along with plan in .pdf form should be emailed to onlinepermits@keybiscayne.fl.gov.

·         Payments can be accepted over the phone. Permit Clerk will contact customer when ready to obtain credit card information.

Building Code Inspections

There are new procedures for Building Code inspections to be used during the COVID-19 Emergency Period. Inspections can now be requested at inspections@keybiscayne.fl.gov. Inspections may be performed by qualified professionals, or by the appropriate Village inspector virtually or on-site. Inspection requests must include a permit number, contact name and phone number.

Water Restrictions

Did you know that Miami-Dade County has permanent water restrictions? Click here to view the guidelines.

·         Key Biscayne Community Foundation: https://www.kbcf.org/covid19-resources/

·         Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce: https://www.keybiscaynechamber.org/

Every day the Village of Key Biscayne practices the same response priorities:

·         To exercise an abundance of caution to PROTECT our community: Our number one priority is to protect the health and safety of everyone in the Village of Key Biscayne.

·         To continue to COMMUNICATE Village-wide efforts at containing the spread of the virus: We strive to deliver updated information to maintain awareness and public readiness, and to combat misinformation.

·         To take necessary ACTION to keep the Village of Key Biscayne safe and healthy. Our primary goal is to encourage Village residents to engage in behavior that limits the spread of the virus.

Have a great week!

-Your Village of Key Biscayne