ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings revealed Sunday the county will provide one-time rent assistance to county residents unable to make their payments because they’ve been furloughed during the outbreak.
The Orange County coronavirus help hotline will begin taking calls Monday at 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. daily. Residents who need assistance making their rent or utility payments can call 407-836-6500.
Demings stressed the payment help is one-time only and for county residents only. The program does not apply to people who are not working but still being paid during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Residents can also visit www.ocfl.net/Coronavirus for additional resources.
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The Orange County Utilities Department will not suspend any accounts during the pandemic, Demings said.
Demings said the county has 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sunday evening. More than 830 cases have been confirmed statewide.
On Monday, the county will open a new drive-thru testing site on Alafaya Trail. Anyone who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have the virus needs to call the Orange County Department of Health testing hotline to be screened. If they need the test they will be given an appointment.
The county testing hotline is 407-723-5004.
On Wednesday, the Florida National Guard will open a large-scale drive-up coronavirus testing site in the Orange County Convention Center parking lot.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C. White House officials and congressional leaders are negotiating a national coronavirus aid package to help businesses make payroll and extend unemployment.
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