Escambia County COVID-19 Update #25

Updated at 10:15 a.m. March 30:
Please reference the prior updates and Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for a prior comprehensive running list. View an updated list of county closures and cancellations here. This update only includes new information we have received. Weekend updates will be distributed only when there is new information.

Escambia County 
COVID‐19 daily specimen collection totals through Sunday, March 29. Testing sites include Community Health Northwest Florida, West Florida Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Ascension Sacred Heart.

Waste Services - Perdido Landfill 

• With spring cleaning in full swing, and more citizens at home, the volume of waste directly hauled from citizens has increased. In accordance with CDC guidelines, extra spacing at off-loading areas at the Perdido Landfill is being requested. Wait times may increase. 

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County

• As of 9 a.m., March 30, Escambia County has had 37 positive COVID-19 cases. This number is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing. For the most up-to-date information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, visit the COVID-19 dashboard. The site is currently updated twice daily.
• FDOH-Escambia is limiting public access to the Fairfield facility as a method of protecting the health of their clients and staff. Services will continue to be available for persons with appointments (or receiving the service). A parent or guardian may accompany a minor child if the child is receiving the service.
  • Temporarily, the public entrances to the Fairfield facility will open at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays.
  • To make a clinic appointment, call 850-595-6554.
  • For WIC questions call 850-595-6670.
  • For assistance with the steps outlined above may be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s Coronavirus information line at 850-595-6500, option 6.
• Governor DeSantis announced on Friday, March 27 that all travelers from Louisiana will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This will be executed through checkpoints along major highways where drivers will be directed to stop and fill out information regarding their Florida stay. Sheriffs and FHP will take lead on this. DOT will be placing signage along major roadways entering Florida. This excludes commercial travel.

• On Monday, March 30 Gulf Power announced its plan to significantly lower bills for customers amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Subject to Florida Public Service Commission approval, beginning May 1, Gulf Power plans to issue a one-time decrease of approximately 40% for the typical residential customer bill as a result of lower fuel costs. 
• In Florida, fuel savings are typically refunded to customers over the remainder of the year to provide level, predictable bills. However, given the emergent and significant financial challenges facing many customers due to COVID-19, Gulf Power will instead seek to give customers the total annual savings in their May bill.
• Business customers will also see a significant one-time decrease in May, depending on usage and rate class.
• Gulf Power has a pandemic plan in place and regularly trains and drills for unplanned events and crises. The company understands the critical role electricity plays in the economy and daily lives of Northwest Florida residents, and Gulf Power remains steadfastly committed to continuously delivering the reliable energy that our communities rely on.
• For customers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, Gulf Power has resources available at GulfPower.com/Help, or the company can connect customers with resources available from federal, state and local authorities. To further assist customers, Gulf Power is also implementing the same policies that it does during major crises events, including suspending electrical disconnections and providing payment extensions for customers in a hardship situation. These policies will remain in effect while Florida is under a state of emergency.
• The Gulf Power Foundation has committed $500,000 to local United Way organizations serving Northwest Florida to help members of our communities impacted by COVID-19. In total, Gulf Power and its fellow NextEra Energy companies and employees have so far committed nearly $2.75 million in COVID-19 emergency assistance funds that will be distributed directly to those in need and to partner organizations working on the frontlines of the crisis to provide critical support to the most vulnerable members of the community.

CareerSource Escarosa Employment Links

• Reemployment Assistance for Job Seekers 
• Updated Employers Hiring List