Updated at 3:45 p.m. May 18:
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.
Escambia County
- Hospital Information totals as of 3 p.m. May 17, 2020 (county SITREP)
- Hospitalizations 57 (running total; this is not a total of current hospitalizations)
- Bed Capacity 1,315
- Bed Occupancy 841
- Beds Available 474
- Total Ventilators 220
- Available Ventilators 175
- Escambia County submitted a short-term vacation rental plan Friday, May 15 to Secretary Beshears with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for review, response and approval. Read the plan here.
Governors Press Office
- On Friday, May 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced additional phase one measures to reopen Florida’s economy and issues Executive Order 20-123. Additional phase one measures will take effect on Monday, May 18. We will include official language when it is released. Here is the summary:
- Restaurants, retail shops, museums and libraries will be able to operate at 50% capacity.
- Gyms may reopen. Equipment should be sanitized before and after each use, practice social distancing and outdoor exercise activities are encouraged.
- Professional sports may operate in the State of Florida and venues may host training, competitions, events and games. This provision shall preempt any local rule prohibiting a professional sports team conducting, or the operations of the venue from hosting, those sports activities at facilities in the State.
- Amusement parks may submit a re-opening plan to the State of Florida that includes a proposed date for resumption of operations and proposed guidelines to ensure guest and staff safety. Requests to re-open must include an endorsement letter from the County Mayor or in absence of a county mayor from the City Mayor and County Administrator. This request shall 2 identify a future date certain for re-opening and verify that the official has approved a re-open plan to ensure patron and staff safety.
- Counties may seek approval to operate vacation rentals with a written request from the County Administrator and the county's safety plan for vacation rental operations submitted to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary. DBPR will post and update guidance on its website.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- The Florida Department of Health announced the launch of a new mobile app, StrongerThanC19. The free app, available for iOS and Android devices, complements the community action survey website of the same name that launched on April 3. These cutting-edge tools are giving residents the power to unite in the fight to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Florida.
- As of 10 a.m., May 18, Escambia County has had 707 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 20 individuals.
- The Florida Department of Health (the Department) releases a list of long-term care facilities in Florida associated with COVID-19 cases with active cases and number of deaths 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.
- Printable resources for restaurants and businesses can be found on the resources page of the FDOH COVID-19 website.