COVID-19 Update #27 - Wed., Apr. 15

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See our full list of information at www.santarosa.fl.gov/covid19.

Santa Rosa County

The Santa Rosa County Office of Public Safety continues to coordinate resources with our local healthcare providers and work closely with Florida Department of Health, the state lead in public health and pandemic response.

Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA)
VBA Undersecretary Paul Lawrence will host a Tele-Townhall on Apr. 17, 3 p.m (Central) with information on the VBA’s COVID-19 response, Solid Start, Blue Water Navy and Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP). There will be opportunities for questions. To join:

Dial 844-227-7557 about 10 minutes before 3 p.m.
Listen in on the VBA updates.
Ask questions during the call.

Gulf Power
Many customers are working or staying at home more which will likely increase power usage and could lead to higher monthly bills. To provide relief, Gulf Power company plans to fast-track a one-time decrease of nearly 40% in May for the typical residential customer bill as a result of lower fuel costs, subject to Florida Public Service Commission approval.

Energy-Saving Tips

Keep thermostats set at 78 if possible. Each degree raised can save up to five percent on monthly cooling costs.
Keep bedroom and other interior doors open to improve air flow.
Keep lights off in unoccupied rooms. .
Ceiling fans keeps people cool but don't cool the room. Turn off the fan when leaving a room to save from $3 to $7 a month.
Turn off ceiling, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans when leaving the room.
Close shades, blinds and drapes to keep the sun’s heat out.
Increased use of TVs and gaming systems can raise a bill $8-$15 per month. Keep them turned off or unplugged when not in use.
Use the smallest appliance needed to cook – slow cooker, microwave or toaster oven – and use one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
Bake several dishes at a time, using the smallest appliance needed to get the job done. When dinner’s over, run a full dishwasher saving water and electricity.
Clean the condenser coils of the refrigerator and freezer so it runs more efficiently. Make sure the door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper. If the paper pulls out easily, the latch may need adjustment.
Use an outdoor grill instead of the oven to keep the kitchen cool.
Clean the dryer's lint filter before every load to minimize drying time.
The free Energy Checkup will provide a personalized energy usage report.
The Appliance Calculator shows how much energy appliances use.
For more ways to save, visit Savings Tips and Tools or Lower My Bill.

Gulf Power is suspending disconnections and providing payment extensions for hardship situations while we are under a state of emergency. Customers are encouraged to pay their bill each month to avoid building up a large balance, for which they will continue to bear responsibility. Resources are available at GulfPower.com/help or (800) 225-5797.

Center for Disease Control Resources

See also:

Frequently Asked Questions (recently updated)
Local Business Information
Navarre Beach island and beaches closure information
County Closures and Resources
Local Job Opportunities
SantaRosaReady.com (assistance for business owners)
Florida Department of Health
COVID-19 dashboard (showing cases by zip code)
- COVID-19 webpage
- COVID-19@flhealth.gov
211 Northwest Florida (resource and referral service)

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