"One County" issues Joint Information System Report #4

Nassau County Emergency Management

Press Release

March 19, 2020

The “OneNassau” Joint Information System (JIS) is monitoring the rapidly changing situation in order to provide timely, accurate, unified messaging to our residents. Updates will be provided each afternoon; more frequently only if warranted.

Current Situation in Nassau County:

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has transitioned from Level 3 Activation to Level 2 with enhanced staffing during normal business hours to facilitate local emergency resource requests and ensure timely, accurate crisis communication; the change in activation level streamlines existing processes – it is not a response to a worsening situation

Nassau still has only one positive case of Coronavirus – he remains in isolation

The FDOH website floridahealthcovid19.gov should have all you need to know about COVID-19 in Florida, but anyone with general questions about the pandemic can call the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 904-548-0900 during normal business hours

Residents who believe they have been a “close contact” to a positive case of Coronavirus should call DOH-Nassau at 904-875-6100 for guidance.

Nassau County Schools are now scheduled to remain closed until April 15th – meals will be available for students beginning Monday, March 23rd and will function like the summer feeding program; plans for distance learning are underway with enrichment lessons available as of March 25th – see https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/ for more info

Public Safety responders are working under normal operations – Call 9-1-1 for all public safety and medical emergencies.

Businesses have been asked to complete the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) impact survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/; those experiencing economic injury during the pandemic may use the form on www.FloridaDisasterLoan.org to apply for a short-term, interest free, Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan between March 17th and May 8th

Nassau P3 (public-private partnership) has compiled information about local resources and social services available to residents during the pandemic response; updates are posted on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nassaup3/

Town of Hilliard – Town Hall has closed its lobby to the public but has its drive-thru open; Utility Payments can be made via drive-thru, online, or by phone at 833-277-0392; all Town Council-related meetings are cancelled through April 2nd, as are Parks and Recreation After-School, Youth Sports, and Silver Sneakers programs; Fitness Center is being cleaned and sanitized daily and is limiting access to 50% capacity; Town Clean-Up is rescheduled for September 12th

Continue to take everyday precautions to reduce disease transmission:

• If you are at risk or have underlying health conditions, avoid crowds and maintain social distancing practices
• Stay home, away from others whenever ill
• Cough/sneeze into your elbow, sleeve, or a tissue (and throw the used tissue into the trash)
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place; if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching common surfaces in public places – door handles, ATM buttons, handrails, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something; avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces to remove germs every day (e.g., tables and counters, doorknobs, light switches, steering wheels, keyboards and mice, faucets, remotes, and phones)

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the “clearing house” for Nassau County’s JIS and posts incident information regularly on the NassauEM Facebook Page and www.NassauFL-EM.com website. If you have questions, please call the EOC’s information line 904-548-0900 or message the EOC staff through the NassauEM Facebook page.