Updated at 3:30 p.m. May 21:
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 9:05 a.m. May 21, 2020 (county SITREP)
- Hospitalizations 63 (running total; this is not a total of current hospitalizations)
- Bed Capacity 1,315
- Bed Occupancy 992
- Beds Available 323
- Total Ventilators 220
- Available Ventilators 179
- The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted Thursday, May 21, to amend Executive Order 20-6, creating Executive Order 20-8 regarding Escambia County public beaches.
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Effective Thursday, May 21 a noon, Escambia County public beaches are now fully open to the public. Camping on the beach is not allowed per county ordinance 74-36 and consistent with the “Leave No Trace” protections for nesting sea turtles. Other Escambia County parks, including public access points on Perdido Key remain closed from sunset to sunrise. Read the details here.
- Questions about short-term vacation rentals in Escambia County? You can read the short-term vacation rental plan at www.myescambia.com/shorttermvacationrentalplan.
Escambia County School District
- After serving over 180,000 curb-side meals since the pandemic closed school cafeterias, the Escambia County School District Food Service Department wants to remind families that the last day school meals will be provided via curb-side service is tomorrow, Friday, May 22.
- "A big thank you to each and every Escambia County Food Service employee that has planned, prepared and served meals to this community throughout these unprecedented times. Your dedication and service to the children of Escambia County does not go unnoticed." said Food Services Director, Jaleena Davis.
- Families are encouraged to locate an alternative summer community feeding location by going to https://summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com/, and entering a home address. This website provides a map showing feeding sites nearby. Families without internet access can call 2-1-1 or text FOODFL to 877-877 for assistance as well.
- For information about Escambia County’s public schools go to: https://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/. Like ECSD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ecsdfl.
OneBlood
- According to the OneBlood web site, the blood bank is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms.
- Appointments to donate are required.
- To protect team members and other donors,do not present to donate if you are not feeling well or have a fever.
Center for Disease Control
- CDC offers considerations for ways in which schools can help protect students, teachers, administrators, and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19 when reopening. Schools, working with state and local health officials, can determine whether and how to implement these considerations while adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. Read more here.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- FDOH-Escambia’s drive-thru testing site at Pensacola State College Warrington Campus is free to all Florida residents. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles, and pre-screening is not required. For more information, including updated hours and dates, please visit the dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
- 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 2 p.m., May 21, Escambia County has had 734 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 24 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.
