Updated at 3 p.m. May 22:
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 8:45 a.m. May 22, 2020 (county SITREP)
- Hospitalizations 63 (running total; this is not a total of current hospitalizations)
- Bed Capacity 1,315
- Bed Occupancy 963
- Beds Available 352
- Total Ventilators 212
- Available Ventilators 173
- Reminder that the Escambia County Joint Information Center will send updates Monday - Friday around 3 p.m. to better coincide with information from the Florida Department of Health and county SITREP. Weekend and holiday updates are only sent if there is breaking news. We will not be sending an update on Memorial Day.
Governor Press Office
- Today, Gov. DeSantis lifts all restrictions immediately on youth summer activities in Florida such as sports, summer camps and other organized activities.
- He said the state will provide guidelines and recommendations for best practices, but will not put in place any rules and restrictions on activities. Gov. DeSantis said local governments will be allowed to put in place restrictions if they see the need to.
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- The Pensacola Gulfside pier is open daily from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Fishing is allowed from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days per week at the regular admission rate.
- Walking passes are available from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. for admission of sunset walkers at the regular all-day pass (coming and going) admission rate.
- Wrist bands will identify the type of pass, either fishing or walking.
- Social distancing guidelines will remain in full effect at all times.
- Maximum number of persons in any group is 10.
- Pier staff has demarcated the length of the Pier identifying all permissible spaces, measured to meet the minimum six foot social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC. Markings are there to control spacing in between every fishing group and to limit the total number of spaces available for fishing. This will help keep those who are fishing form clustering in any one location. Management has hired additional staff to walk the pier and maintain social distancing throughout the day. Hand washing basins with soap are available for regular use.
University of West Florida
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University leadership is actively developing a plan to return to campus while keeping the safety, security and wellbeing of the University community at the forefront of every decision. This plan will include a phased return for employees that will begin in June and a student return for the fall semester.
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Today, the Florida Board of Governors provided a blueprint for all State University System institutions to utilize in developing their reopening university campuses framework that will be presented to the Board of Governors on June 23.
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President Saunders established and assigned subcommittees to focus on specific areas to form the Fall 2020 return to campus framework. These subcommittees are focused on specific key areas, aligned with the Board of Governors’ Blueprint.
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To view a list of the Return to Campus Task Force and subcommittees, please visit uwf.edu/taskforce.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- FDOH-Escambia’s drive-thru testing site 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 22, Escambia County has had 740 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 25 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.