Updated at 4:30 p.m. April 27:
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.
Ascension Sacred Heart COVID-19 Testing Schedule
The schedule for the week of April 27 for Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart’s drive-through centers in Pensacola, Destin and Panama City to provide community testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
- Pensacola location - open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Monday through Friday
- Destin location - open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays
- Panama City location - open 9 a.m. to 1 pm., Tuesdays and Thursdays
The testing center in Destin is located at Destin Medical Park, 36500 Emerald Coast Parkway, on the Okaloosa-Walton county line. In Bay County, the team will provide swab tests to eligible persons at Tommy Oliver Stadium, 351 E. 13th Street., Panama City.
To date, our COVID-19 testing team has swabbed more than 5,000 people who have symptoms of the illness. Testing is provided at no cost to patients. While the test center will bill insurers, there is no out-of-pocket cost for people with or without insurance.
Interested persons who want to get tested for the virus must first call a designated call center first for a phone screening. The number is 850-746-2684. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Escambia County
- Community Health Northwest Florida's mobile testing unit at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street, Cantonment conducted a total of 306 tests from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, Monday, April 27. "First, I want to thank The Cantonment Improvement Committee for reaching out to me about the feasibility of having walk-up testing in the Carver Park community last week," said Commission Chairman Steven Barry. "Second, I want to thank Chandra Smiley and Community Health Northwest Florida for being immediately supportive of the idea and for the logistics being coordinated quickly enough to have the testing done today."
Community Health Northwest Florida's mobile testing unit at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street, Cantonment
- 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 will be provided to each commissioner prior to the meeting, will be summarized for the board at the meeting, and will be made a part of the board's official meeting minutes.
- As of 3 p.m. Monday, April 27, Escambia County area hospitals reported 220 total ventilators with 171 available, and 1,315 total beds with 554 available.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- The Florida Department of Health announced that, in order to provide more comprehensive data, the Department will now release the report on COVID-19 cases in Florida once per day. The Florida Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard will also provide updates once per day. As a part of this change, the state will also provide a report detailing surveillance data for every Florida county. Previously, this information was only available for select communities. This surveillance report is available here.
- As of 4:30 p.m., April 27, Escambia County has had 470 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 total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 11 individuals.
- As of 9 a.m., April 27, 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 take the COVID-19 Community Action Survey 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.
FloridaWest, Greater Pensacola Chamber, Visit Pensacola (ESF-18)
- Friday, President Donald Trump signed into law a $484 billion measure that provides additional money for a coronavirus aid program for small businesses. The law contains about $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $75 billion to help hospitals, $25 billion for coronavirus testing and $60 billion for the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program that the Paycheck Protection Program would resume accepting loan applications today at 9:30 a.m. For more information, click here.
- Governor Ron DeSantis’ Reopen Florida Task Force has launched a public comment form for Florida residents who want to provide input on safely reopening the state. Provide your input to the task force here.
- Today is the last day to file for the initial round of the Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program. The grant is intended to assist for-profit businesses with 20 or fewer employees located in Escambia County with their immediate cash flow needs as a result of a demonstrated economic injury due to COVID-19. The max grant award is $2,500 per applicant or business. For details and to apply for the grant, click here.
