Daytona Beach, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) is offering free, cloth masks to the public. The masks are available at department locations in Volusia County:

• 421 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach

• 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach

• 121 W. Rich Ave., DeLand

• 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City

Locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To date, DOH-Volusia has distributed more than 130,000 cloth masks to social service agencies, faith-based organizations and non-profit entities that serve the county's vulnerable populations. The agencies are partnering with DOH-Volusia to help people who are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 protect themselves and others with whom they come into contact. They include agricultural workers, people with physical or developmental disabilities, the homeless, minorities and underserved populations. Masks also have been provided at the agency's pop-up, drive through test sites in June.

"Health is affected by the conditions in which people live, work and play," according to Patricia Boswell, DOH-Volusia administrator. "These conditions can increase the risk of being infected by COVID-19 or the risk of having a poor outcome from the disease. By providing masks to the public, we are giving people a tool to help to prevent the spread."

Boswell reminds everyone of the three basic actions they can take to protect themselves and others: social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask when in public.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, racial and ethnic minority groups experience a disproportionate burden of illness and death from COVID-19. Underlying health conditions, access to care, work circumstances and living conditions are contributing factors for vulnerable groups.

There is no criteria to be eligible for a free, plain white face covering. For more information on how to obtain face coverings from DOH-Volusia, please call 386-274-0500 and press # for coronavirus information.

Local Information and Resources

For information specific to COVID-19 resources in Volusia County, please visit Volusia.org/coronavirus.

Visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 webpage for general information on COVID-19. If you have questions, please call the Department's COVID-19 Call Centers available 24/7 at 1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

211, an information and referral service sponsored by the United Way, can share information on services available in the community. Call 211 or visit the website at www.211.org.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

*Please note the date of this release. Information provided may have changed depending on the time that has elapsed."