Escambia County COVID-19 Update #31

Updated at 10:45 a.m. April 2:
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 

• The public is strongly encouraged to participate electronically in Public Forum today, Thursday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m. This meeting, along with the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, will be streamed live and archived online and utilizing this virtual viewing technology is encouraged. The public is strongly encouraged to provide input on Public Forum, BCC agenda items and CRA issues electronically prior to the Board meeting. A public input form has been made available for input/comment on public forum, CRA and agenda items. Comment forms regarding a specific agenda item must be submitted prior to the vote on the referenced agenda item. Comments or questions submitted will be read into the record during the meeting. 
• Effective Thursday, April 2, the Escambia County Jail will go to an online video visitation process only. 
• Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 Wednesday, April 1, regarding essential services and essential activities during the COVID-19 emergency. The "safer at home" order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 3 and expires on Monday, April 30, 2020, unless extended by subsequent order. The order requires all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. Individuals within the county are expected to follow the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91. The Executive Order allows for essential activities, including going to the store to buy food, medicine and cleaning supplies, accessing health care and banking.

• There is a transition in the way the data regarding daily specimen collections will be reported. Updated specimen collection totals are expected to be available for the afternoon update.

• Escambia County will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. today, Thursday, April 2 outside the Public Safety Building located at 6575 North "W" St. in Pensacola about the Governor's "safer at home" order and what it means for Escambia County residents and governmental operations.

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County

• As of 10:45 a.m., April 2, Escambia County has had 97 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.