Escambia County COVID-19 Update #87

Updated at 10:30 a.m. May 6:
Please reference the prior updates and Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for a prior comprehensive running list. View an updated list of how to access county services here.  This update only includes new information we have received. Weekend updates will be distributed only when there is new information.       

• Good news for established Community Health Northwest Florida patients who may be struggling financially due to job loss, reduction in hours or other circumstances impacting your income which are directly related to the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to a generous grant from United Way of West Florida COVID-19 Response Fund which included a significant contribution from Gulf Power Company, we are now able to offer assistance with rent, mortgage, utility bills and other payments. Click here to find out if you're eligible. View and print forms labeled "UWWF Covid-19 Response Fund". If you meet the criteria, apply today! We are ready and waiting to help you get through this challenging time.

• Community Health Northwest Florida has rescheduled the COVID-19 walk-up testing for Gonzales Court for today, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limited to Escambia County residents only.

• The Escambia County Board of Commissioners will hold several meetings Thursday, May 7. The Board of County Commissioners Public Forum will begin at 4:30 p.m., the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the BCC Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will take place in the board chambers of the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, found on the first floor of 221 Palafox Place. Click here to view the commission meeting agenda and support documents. The public is strongly encouraged to practice social distancing during the meetings. This meeting will be streamed live and archived online for virtual viewing.
• Escambia County is following Executive Order 20-111 and Executive Order 20-112, which extends Executive Orders 20-87 (vacation rental closures) until further notice and continues to permit the essential services and activities described in Executive Order 20-91. See the state's step-by-step plan here.

• The prohibition on vacation rentals remains in effect pursuant to Executive Order 20-112. Any new check-ins to short-term vacation rentals remain prohibited through the duration of Executive Order 20-112. Escambia County cannot alter this order and it is enforced by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. 
• To file a complaint regarding non-compliance with the governor's orders, see www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/eo-complaints

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County

• As of 10 a.m., May 6, Escambia County has had 604 positive COVID-19 cases. This number is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing. The best source for up-to-date information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida is the Florida Department of Health website and the associated Data and Surveillance Dashboard and Daily Report. The site is currently updated once daily, at around 3 p.m. ET.
• The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 15 individuals.
• The Florida Department of Health announced that the list of long-term care facilities in Florida associated with COVID-19 cases will now include active cases in each facility in order to provide real-time data. The list of long-term care facilities with active COVID-19 cases is available here.
• The Department is providing a report detailing surveillance data for every Florida county. Previously, this information was only available for select communities. The surveillance data report is available 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.
• 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.  

Haas Center at the University of West Florida 
The Haas Center continues to assist our community during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• The Haas Center at the University of West Florida continues to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the Florida Travel and Spending Survey, conducted by the Haas Center, are available now. This study reveals the percentage of travel plans postponed, as well as the reduced spending by Florida residents since mid-March. 
• More than 1,400 face shields have been distributed to various medical centers and nursing homes to help protect healthcare workers and patients. This collaborative effort brings together multiple departments at UWF, including nursing, engineering, art and business.

• Manufacturers in Northwest Florida are also provided with important financial and legal updates as the pandemic affects manufacturing industries.