COVID-19
Local Resources
Information On Getting Tested
Those with the associated risk factors and symptoms of COVID-19 may be eligible to be tested. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Risk factors consist of close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case, travel to or from a Coronavirus affected area, recent history of international travel, age 65+ with chronic conditions and a weakened immune system. If you believe you have symptoms you should immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Risk factors consist of ONE or MORE of the following:
- Close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case
- Travel to or from a Coronavirus affected area
- Recent history of international travel or cruise
- Age 65+ with chronic conditions
- Weakened immune system
COVID-19 Testing
- St Lucie County Testing Sites-Local COVID Testing Sites Rev 7/17/20- Please note that this list is a work in progress and information may change without any notice. It is not a complete list of available options as it changes daily. Click here
- Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. (FCHC) at 1505 Delaware Avenue in Fort Pierce and at 15858 SW Warfield Boulevard in Indiantown. Testing is by appointment only. Individuals must call to setup an appointment for screening, evaluation, and testing at (772) 597-3596. Telehealth appointments are also available. For additional information, click here.
- Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is performing drive-thru testing for COVID-19 by appointment only in Tradition, 10000 SW Innovation Way in Port St. Lucie. Testing will only be performed for individuals who meet FDOH criteria for COVID-19. If individuals do not meet criteria, testing will not be performed. The CDC provides the testing guidelines. For an appointment, individuals who may have symptoms must call (772) 419-3360 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing hours for both locations is from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. For additional information, click here.
- Publix Super Market at Verano-9335 SW, Commerce Centre Dr, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 | Monday – Friday | 9am-5pm (unless they hit their cap amount of tests before that) | Need to be at least 18yo, need government issued ID, no symptoms necessary, free of charge, no insurance needed *Coronavirus symptoms include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
St. Lucie County Offers CARES ACT Funding To Residents
The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners has received $13.8 million in CARES Act funding from the State of Florida with the potential to receive an additional $41.6 million in reimbursements. A portion of these dollars are being distributed directly to residents to help those facing financial difficultly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any St. Lucie County resident who has suffered an economic hardship caused because of COVID-19, and who earns less than 120 percent of the area median income (as shown in the table below) is eligible to apply.
Those seeking assistance can apply online at www.recoverstlucie.org starting Wednesday, July 8 at 8 a.m. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the St. Lucie County CARES Public Information Line at 772-462-1705 or email comm_info@stlucieco.org. The CARES Public Information Line will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 7 p.m.
St. Lucie County is allocating CARES Act funding in phases with the first phase going directly to residents. The second phase, which will include direct payments to the business community, is expected to be available later this month. Additionally, a portion of these funds will be available as reimbursements to local governmental agencies that spent funds on preventative measures relating to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Grant Opportunity
Funders in St. Lucie County have joined together to establish a coordinated Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief and Recovery application process. This funding process will provide assistance to nonprofit organizations in St. Lucie County whose staff, services and clients have been impacted by a disaster. Link to more information here.
St. Lucie County
Emergency Operations Center is at partial Level 2 activation. The Public Information Lines are operational Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. That number is 772-460-HELP (4357). St. Lucie County Government UPDATES
Since mid-March, St. Lucie County has hosted weekly video updates to provide information to the public regarding information related to COVID-19. The county will continue to provide this information through press releases, social media channels and websites including www.stlucieco.gov/covid-19.
St. Lucie Public Schools
SLPS will be returning to traditional school beginning on August 10th, 2020. Please review the following description of options for parents and students. If you would like one of the two virtual options, please complete this commitment form on-line or by phone by July 15th. You must fill out one form per child unless your children are returning to the traditional school setting. If you require assistance, please call your child’s school or 772-429-HELP. Choose your school options here
- Summer Feeding Program- St. Lucie Public Schools Child Nutrition Services Department will serve free meals to children in St. Lucie County. Free "Grab and Go" Meals are available on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am-1 pm. Click for Locations
- SLC Schools introduce Motivation Station TV -St. Lucie Public Schools is launching Motivation Station on WLX-TV St. Lucie County Education Channel. This appears on Comcast channel 13 (Ft. Pierce), Comcast channel 19 (Port St. Lucie), Hometown channel 19, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (under St. Lucie County Community Channels). Motivation Station Schedule.
- Digital Readiness Survey - Part of the St. Lucie Public Schools emergency preparedness plan is to provide devices to students that need one during the rare occasions when it is necessary to close schools due to weather or other emergency situations. Parents: Please click this link to complete a brief survey about your child’s access to technology in your home.
211 HelpLine
offers a wealth of resources. If looking for assistance, please dial 2-1-1. Remember, The 211 Helpline is available 24/7 to connect you with resources for food, mental health, legal support and more.
Free Meals
- Mustard Seed Ministries thrift stores and social services are open, including the curbside food pantry. Their ready to serve the community during the COVID-19 emergency.
- Grace Way Village & Ft. Pierce Women’s Club providing to-go evening meals! Every night free drive-through meals to go can be picked up at Located at Grace Way Village, 1780 Hartman Rd Fort Pierce, Florida 34947 from 5:00 - 6:00 except Monday & Friday! On Mondays & Fridays visit the Fort Pierce Women’s 2408 S 29th,Fort Pierce, FL 34981 from 4-6pm.
- Treasure Coast Food Bank If you, or someone you know, is in need of groceries or other resources during this time, please call us at 772-489-3034 or visit their Agency Locator Page Please click here to register for COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance.
St. Lucie Business Needing Help? COVID-19 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE-Learn More Unemployment Assistance - Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, welfare or temporary assistance, and other programs and services that can help if you lose your job. The federal government is allowing states to change their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Each state’s rules may be different. Contact your state’s unemployment insurance program to learn about and apply for unemployment insurance. Click here!
Unemployment- There is a new website to file for unemployment (http://FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication). Additionally, you can now submit applications via mail. Those without access to the website, paper copies in English, Spanish and Creole will be available outside the following sites:
- Kilmer Library, 101 Melody Lane in Fort Pierce
- Lewis Library, 2950 SW Rosser Blvd, Port St. Lucie
- Morningside Library, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd, Port St. Lucie
- St. Lucie County Community Services Office, 437 N 7th St, Fort Pierce
Community Transit / Treasure Coast Connector: **If you want to ride along, put a face mask on!** As of May 27, routes will continue on regular schedule.
Treasure Coast Connector and Community Transit are STRONGLY SUGGESTING that all passengers planning to use public transit use protective face masks/coverings. Whether it is a surgical mask, cloth mask or face scarf, any form will do. This is for the safety of all passengers and drivers as well.
Council On Aging-St Lucie Inc: COASL is offering assistance for the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone you know that is over the age of 60 and are in need of food, need help getting groceries, or just need to speak with someone regarding hardships, contact Nelly Diaz at 772-446-4516.
SENIORS 60+ FREE GROCERY SHOPPING ASSISTANCE!!! Call (772)336-8608 For information on getting grocery delivered to your home for FREE!
St. Lucie County Department of Health: 772-462-3800 or http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov/
City of Port St. Lucie: 772-871-1775 (1PSL) or www.cityofpsl.com
City of Fort Pierce: 772-467-3000 or https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office: 772-462-7300 -Report Identity Theft & Fraud
Port St. Lucie Police Dept.: -If something appears too good to be true is usually is-Scams & Frauds Prevention
The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County: Open Child Care Centers Contact: 772-595-6424
St. Lucie County Library: While St. Lucie County Library buildings remain closed to the public, the Library will begin calling patrons to let them know they can pick up items they’ve placed on hold through a curbside pickup service, starting Tuesday, April 28. Place items on hold at www.stlucieco.gov/library or by calling the library during current service hours.
- Curbside pickup will be available at the Kilmer, Lakewood Park, Lewis and Port St. Lucie branches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
State Resources
CDC Recommends Everyone Wear Masks- CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. Learn More
Governor DeSantis Updates - You can also follow Governor Ron DeSantis Facebook for live press conferences and updates. For details click here.
Florida’s Step-By-Step Plan: Governor Ron DeSantis on 5/15/2020 announced the full Phase 1 re-opening for retailers and restaurants. He said gyms and fitness center may re-open on Monday, May 18. Restaurants, which had been allowed to serve people at 25 percent capacity, will be able to serve patrons at 50 percent capacity.
Government Stimulus Payment for Non-Filing Persons Today the IRS provided an online portal for those who are not required to file a return but are still eligible for a stimulus payment. At the portal, people can enter their information to enable stimulus money to be sent to them. Click here
COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Individuals. Click here
Florida Department of Health #COVID19 Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8AM to 8PM at 1-866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov your questions.
Florida Department of Children and Families - News and updates for child care, mental health and substance abuse around Florida.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- Call 1-800-273-8255, text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline- 800-985-5990
COVID-19 Information
- How to Protect Yourself & Others
- What to Do if You Are Sick
- What you need to know now about COVID-19 in Florida
- Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID 19 Resource Tool
- What Is COVID-19? And How Does It Relate to Child Development?
- A support guide for parents raising babies and toddlers through the coronavirus crisis
For Our Families
- Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- List of Fun & Educational activities
- When School Is Closed: Resources to Keep Kids Learning at Home
- Library of Congress: Engage!
- St. Lucie Reads: Engage!
Funded Program Updates
- Inner Truth Project
- Families of the Treasure Coast
- END It Corp
- Virtual Art Classes at Lindsay School of Arts
- St. Lucie County Boys & Girls Clubs: The Virtual Club