The Latest COVID-19 Information from the City of Cocoa

The City of Cocoa is dedicated to keeping our residents, business owners and customers safe by actively monitoring developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and working closely with partners at Brevard County Government and the Florida Department of Health. The City's main priority is communicating best health practices to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community and amongst employees to ensure the delivery of our core municipal services. As we face this unprecedented health crisis, the City of Cocoa would like you to know that we are here for you. So please, stay home, stay safe, and stay connected. Continue to check our website, www.CocoaFL.org/covid19 for the latest information.

Safer at Home. Staying home now will help restore our community quickly and keep our essential personnel safe. Only leave the house for essentials such as getting groceries, outdoor exercise, getting food, essential job, medical appointment. Don't gather in groups.

Testing Information

Do you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and need to know how to proceed? Use the self-checker found on the CDC’s COVID-19 website to check your symptoms and discover the next steps you should take.

Brevard County is offering drive-through COVID-19 testing at these sites with the following criteria:

Florida Department of Health: North, Central & South Brevard Locations
- Those 65 or older with symptoms, those with underlying conditions and symptoms, First responders with symptoms, and patients in long-term care with symptoms.
- To schedule an appointment, call 321-454-7141. The DOH testing is free of charge.
OMNI Healthcare: Melbourne Location
- Must meet ONE of the following criteria: first responder, over 45 with one chronic illness, over 60 years old, healthcare worker, Publix or Winn Dixie employee, low grade fever or cough
- To schedule an appointment, call 321-802-5515 or 321-727-1973 or visit www.covid19testbrevard.com
- Insurances will be billed for testing
Health First Medical Group Gateway location (1223 Gateway Drive, Melbourne)
- All first responders who serve Brevard County residents.
- First responders so not need to meet any testing criteria to receive a test.
- Monday through Friday, 8:30a-4:30p
- First responders must first call Health First’s Centralized Scheduling office at (321) 434-3131 to be scheduled for a drive-up appointment and will be required to show identification and credentials to receive the test.
- No charge

If you are exhibiting symptoms, or have questions about COVID-19, please contact The Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 hotline (available 24/7) at 1-888-779-6121 or reach out via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Volunteer assisting with food distribution at Endeavour Elementary

Cocoa Schools and Programs Offer Free Student Meals

Even though all students in the state of Florida will be distance learning for the remainder of the school year, Cocoa students are still able to pick up free meals. Cambridge Elementary (2000 Cambridge Dr, Cocoa, FL 32922), Endeavour Elementary (905 Pineda St, Cocoa, FL 32922), Saturn Elementary (880 N Range Rd, Cocoa, FL 32926), Emma Jewel Charter Academy (705 Blake Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922), Cocoa Police Athletic League (307 Blake Avenue Cocoa, FL 32922), and the Cocoa Boys and Girls Club (814 Dixon Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32922) are all offering free meals for Cocoa's youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reach out to these great organizations for more information.

United Way of Brevard's COVID-19 Community Resources Image

United Way Community Assistance Resources

To assist Brevard’s individuals and families impacted by COVID-19, United Way of Brevard is providing information and resources available to help you and your family. Along with several other local foundations, United Way is launching the Brevard COVID-19 Response Fund. United Way of Brevard has authorized $50,000 from our emergency fund to aid in recovery efforts. 211 Brevard is taking calls from those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

IF YOU NEED HELP:
The 211 Helpline is available 24/7 to connect you with resources for food, mental health, legal support and more. Those in need of help can dial 2-1-1 or 321-632-6688.

For more information on the United Way of Brevard COVID-19 Community Resources, visit their website.

Space Coast Area Transit Essential Trip graphic. Help stop the spread.

Space Coast Area Transit Update

Effective Saturday, April 11, 2020, SCAT will run regular Saturday service on Saturday and weekdays, with Routes 4 & 9 ending early at 8:15 PM. If you need an ESSENTIAL RIDE home after the fixed routes end, up until 8:15 PM, call the RideLine at 321-633-1878 by 2:00 PM the day before to request a ride. The same for an earlier ride in the morning. They will do their best to accommodate you. Sunday service will run as normal. During the COVID-19 Pandemic ONLY RIDE IF YOU HAVE AN ESSENTIAL TRIP. Examples are to work, medical treatment, or store. WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVERING ON THE BUS as the CDC advises. Otherwise you may be endangering yourself and other people. Both North and South Space Coast Area Transit Bus terminals will be closed to the general public until further notice. All bus fares have been waived until April 30th.

Park Closures

All City of Cocoa parks will be closed to public gatherings in accordance with the Safer at Home order from the Governor. The parks will remain open to pedestrian passage ONLY. Plan ahead if you will be utilizing our parks as the restrooms will be closed and water fountains have been turned off. Also, all playgrounds remain closed as well to help prevent the spread of the virus. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work together to prevent the spread.

Economic Self-Sufficiency Programs Including SNAP

To apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) or Medicaid, individuals should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Clients logging in to the ACCESS Self-Service Portal should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Customers are required to complete an interview to receive benefits. Customers should call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771) to complete an interview telephonically.
Customers can order an EBT card, get information about EBT transactions, or report an EBT card as lost or stolen at https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or by calling 1-888-356-3281.
If you have trouble understanding English or need help communicating with the Department of Children and Families, Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, please call 1-866-762-2237 or 850-300-4323.
If you are an individual with a disability and need help with the application process or other ACCESS services, please find the region point of contact listed at the following website: https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/individual-with-disability/auxiliary-aids-plan.shtml.
Online Purchasing Pilot: On April 14, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced Florida will pilot a program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card. SNAP participants are automatically eligible to participate in this program and do not need to apply. In coordination with federal, state, and local partners will ensure Floridians can access nutritious food while also practicing social distancing and self-quarantining to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The pilot program will begin with an initial launch on April 16, expanding statewide on April 21.

Re-Employment Assistance

Reemployment Assistance benefits are available to Floridians who have been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Eligible individuals include those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency, laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer, or caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Reemployment Assistance benefits, formerly known as Unemployment Compensation, can be filed online: www.floridajobsresources.com. Hard copies of the application are available at the front door of Brevard County Libraries and Cocoa City Hall.

Online Business Resource, Continuity & Resilience Workshop

April 29, 2020 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business. This shock and more frequent seasonal events like hurricanes also take a toll on businesses and lead to closures. To help the local business community prepare and bounce forward from these events, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council in partnership with the City of Cocoa will be hosting a free Business Resource, Continuity & Resilience Workshop.
Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PKX28SM

Once registered, participants will be e-mailed a link and password to the Zoom meeting. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Charlene Neuterman at 321-433-5509 or via e-mail at cneuterman@cocoafl.org.

Mayor Jake Williams, Jr. wearing a Face Mask in Council Chambers

Cocoa Mayor, Jake Williams, Jr. wearing his face mask at the Special City Council Meeting.

Face Masks

The Centers for Disease Control is recommending everyone to wear masks to help protect yourself and others in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
Cloth face coverings should not be 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 cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

More information from the CDC on cloth face masks.

Crime and Scams

During this time, it is essential that citizens and businesses remain ever vigilant when it comes to crime. The City of Cocoa Police Department is ready and available. Remember that you can report any suspicious activity by texting, dropadime@cocoapolice.com or submitting tips and suspicious activity through the See It, Say It, Send It App. You can also call 9-1-1 or the City of Cocoa's non-emergency number at (321) 639-7620.

Criminals may use the COVID-19 crisis to take advantage of others through scams as well. Only act on information from reputable sources. Some of the most recent scams include testing kits, vaccine offers, ransomeware websites and donations. Please report any suspicious activity.

COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard

The Florida Department of Health has a COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard available online to find county specific COVID-19 case information.

Reach out to your elected officials:

Mayor Jake Williams, Jr., (321) 474-6789
Deputy Mayor, District 1 Councilmember Alex Goins, (321) 474-4923
District 2 Councilmember Brenda Warner, (321) 433-8683
District 3 Councilmember Don Boisvert, (321) 403-9173
District 4 Councilmember Lorraine Koss, (321) 474-8445

Remember, for the latest information about the City of Cocoa's efforts in response to COVID-19, stay connected to our website www.CocoaFL.org/COVID19.

Shape your future, Census 2020. Together, we can ensure that our community receives the resources it needs. Learn more at 2020census.gov. #Cocoacounts