Briefs

Volusia eyes transition to state’s preregistration system for COVID-19 vaccine slots by Feb. 15

Residents may still preregister now.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

While Volusia County is not yet actively using the statewide preregistration system for COVID-19 vaccinations, officials say the public should still sign up for future use.

Public Protection Director Joe Pozzo said at the County Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2, that they are currently awaiting access to the platform, having applied on two separate occasions (Jan. 15 and Jan. 21). He clarified misperceptions that Volusia opted out of participating in the Share Care system. In a press release issued by the county on Feb. 1, it explained that transitioning to the platform “is not an immediate process and requires changes to both the registration process and on-site operations.”

Changes include receiving tablets from the state, as well as new training for staff, Pozzo explained to the council.

“Our plan, if we can get everything in place, is to put that system online for the week of Feb. 15,” he said.

The myvaccine.fl.gov site was announced on Friday, Jan. 29, and offers preregistration for the vaccine in all 67 counties in Florida. Neighboring Flagler County has already integrated into the system. Residents may preregister now, but the county stated that list will not be used for the vaccine events on Feb. 4-5 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Appointments will be made using Eventbrite or by calling the Citizens Information Center a 866-3450345. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

County Councilwoman Heather Post urged residents to preregister now on the state website.

“The fact that the county is not actively assigning those registrations for another week or two certainly does not mean that you cannot get in queue,” Post said. “And it’s not going to delay you getting your vaccination if you go ahead and sign up now.”

Currently, only individuals 65 and older, longterm care facility staff and residents, health care personnel with direct patient contact, and individuals deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 are eligible to receive the vaccine through the state preregistration system.

“[The system] we have now has been very frustrating for our citizens and we want to alleviate that as much as we can,” Pozzo said.

Email jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com.

Courtesy of Volusia County Government Public Protection Director Joe Pozzo said the county is working to transition to the statewide pregistration system for vaccines.

In-season beach ramps now open

Thanks to sunshine and clear skies, vehicular beach access ramps converted to the inseason schedule Saturday, Jan. 30 — a few days earlier than the traditional Feb. 1 transition. The Crawford Road beach ramp in New Smyrna Beach will remain a Pass Holder Only Express ramp to allow quick access to those with a current annual beach pass. In-season, 23 vehicular beach access ramps operate daily from Ormond Beach to New Smyrna Beach, with multiple entry lanes at heavily trafficked locations. To view the in-season beach ramp map, visit Volusia.org/beachdriving.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, beachgoers are asked to refrain from gathering in large groups and continue to observe social distancing guidelines.

Pass-holders are reminded that annual passes are valid for 365 days from the purchase date, rather than by calendar year. Additionally, annual pass-holders who purchased their pass prior to March 20, 2020, received 57 days added to their pass to compensate for the days that the beach ramps were closed to vehicles due to the coronavirus outbreak.

If an annual pass holder visits the beach or inlet park within 30 days of their current pass expiring, the toll attendant will provide notice on when the pass is planned to expire. The pass holder will have the option of renewing their pass on the spot or the next time they visit the beach or inlet park.

Summer lifeguard tryouts to begin

Are you interested in a job that involves sun, sand and saving lives?

Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division is hiring lifeguards to help keep beachgoers safe this summer. Upcoming tryouts are mandatory for those interested in a position.

Swim tryout dates and locations are from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 27 and March 13 at the Ormond Beach YMCA, 500 Sterthaus Drive, Ormond Beach, and 8 a.m. to noon March 6 and 20 at the Port Orange YMCA, 4701 City Center Parkway, Port Orange.

Applicants must be at least 16 on or before June 1 and be able to swim 500 meters freestyle in under 10 minutes, swim 50 yards freestyle in under 30 seconds, and run a half-mile in under 3 minutes, 15 seconds. Candidates considered for hiring will undergo a background check, physical and drug screening.

Starting pay is $12.74 per hour. There is a $500 incentive for lifeguards if they meet criteria specifying number of weekend work days over their first summer.

Those who wish to participate in the selection process must attend one of the 2021 tryouts, as well as Volusia County Beach Safety’s lifeguard recruit class (mandatory 48-hour ocean rescue training). Additionally, participants must attend a 40-hour first responder class and CPR course or provide proof of equivalence.

For more information, visit volusia.org/beach or call 386239-6414.

Your heart is the only muscle that never rests.

And neither do we.

In an average lifetime, your heart can beat three billion times without ever pausing to rest. AdventHealth’s expert cardiologists are inspired by this incredible powerhouse to strive forward, steadily innovate and stay in rhythm with treatments and technologies to help you feel whole. Find a physician in your neighborhood who’s right for your heart. Because when your heart has the right care, it can do incredible things.