Updated at 10 a.m. April 25:
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
- As of 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, Escambia County area hospitals reported 220 total ventilators with 176 available, and 1,315 total beds with 477 available.
- The Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday, April 28 at 10 a.m. to discuss reopening Escambia County public beaches and the public is strongly encouraged to participate electronically to comply with the Governor's Safer at Home Executive Order 20-91.View the agenda. This meeting will be streamed live and archived online for virtual viewing. The public is strongly encouraged to provide input on this agenda item prior to the Board meeting. A public input form is available here. Comment forms 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.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
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As of 10 a.m., April 25, Escambia County has had 442 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.
- The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 11 individuals.
- As of 9 a.m., April 25, there are 145 cases among residents or staff in long term care facilities. The Florida Department of Health has published the list of facilities here.
- To view demographics of cases in Escambia County, visit the COVID-19 dashboard and select Escambia County. The following case data will appear: age, gender, race, and ethnicity.
- Florida residents are encouraged to do their part in helping Florida flatten the curve by anonymously answering questions that range from age and residency, to recent travel, to potential COVID-19 contact. The StrongerThanC-19 community action survey is designed to gather information to help the Department track and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Florida; it is not a symptom checker designed to dispense medical advice. The StrongerThanC-19 community action survey is free to use and can be accessed by visiting: www.StrongerThanC19.com.
- Use the COVID 19 testing self-checker to determine if you need to call your healthcare provider to be tested.
- Need extra support dealing with stress and coping during this time? Find a list of available resources at Escambiahealth.com.
Office of U.S. Senator Rick Scott
- President signed HR 266 into law Friday, April 24, 2020 and this bill will provide $484 billion in emergency relief to help our communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Included in the bill is additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, healthcare providers, and COVID-19 testing. We anticipate the PPP and EIDL funding will become available as early as this upcoming Monday. Small businesses are encouraged to continue working with their local 7A lenders to apply for PPP, and with the SBA to apply for EIDL. For more information on HR 266, please click here.
University of West Florida
- The recently enacted federal CARES Act provided money to colleges and universities for emergency student grants. The purpose of the money is to award emergency financial aid grants to students for specific expenses that are a direct result of the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.
- The University of West Florida will distribute CARES Act funding in a way that prioritizes students with the greatest demonstrated need and ensures that funds are distributed as widely as possible.
- Students must submit a UWF CARES Act Emergency Aid Application in the UWF Scholarship Portal. Applications will be processed by the UWF Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
- Please visit uwf.edu/cares for eligibility criteria, application process and frequently asked questions.
