Updated at 2:45 p.m. Nov. 19:
Please reference the prior updates and Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for a prior comprehensive running list. 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
- Hospitalizations 87 (current hospitalizations as of 2:40 p.m. Nov. 19, 2020)
- Bed Capacity 1,397 (as of 8:40 a.m. Nov. 19, 2020 (county SITREP)
- Bed Occupancy 1,076 (as of 8:40 a.m. Nov. 19, 2020 (county SITREP)
- Beds Available 321 (as of 2:40 p.m.. Nov. 19, 2020)
- Total Ventilators 215 (as of 2:40 p.m. Nov. 19, 2020)
- Available Ventilators 152 (as of 2:40 p.m. Nov. 19, 2020)
- Testing sites
- Rapid testing information
Escambia County Corrections
- Cumulatively, 736 Escambia County inmates have been tested:
- 210 positive (193 have been medically cleared, and 17 have been released from custody, leaving no active, positive cases at this time)
- 526 negative
- 0 pending
- At the Walton County jail, 29 Escambia County inmates tested positive out of the 146 inmates housed there.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- FDOH-Escambia’s drive-thru testing site is free to all Florida residents with or without symptoms. Pre-screening is not required. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST Tuesday, Nov. 19; Thursday, Nov. 19; and Friday, Nov. 20 (closed on Wednesday, Nov. 19) at 1300 West Gregory St., Pensacola, FL 32502. Dates are subject to change due to inclement weather or shortage of supplies. For more information, please visit the dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
- The Florida Department of Health (the Department) issued a Public Health Advisory recommending the following: all individuals in Florida should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible, and all individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 10 people.
- As of 2 p.m., Nov. 19, Escambia County has had 15,436 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 2 p.m. CT.
- The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 290 individuals.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Holiday Guidance from the FDOH
- The Florida Department of Health issued a list of best practices for celebrating a safe holiday season. These recommendations extend beyond COVID-19, but are still applicable nonetheless. The FDOH suggests the following during the holidays to slow the spread of COVID-19:
- All individuals should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.
- If someone feels ill during the holiday season, get tested for COVID-19 and avoid going out in public or being around at-risk individuals.
- Older adults or persons with certain medical conditions who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in their household.
- Consider hosting an outdoor gathering rather than an indoor gathering.
- Guests who have traveled from other areas or towns should distance themselves from people who are 65 or older and people of any age who have underlying health issues such as lung or heart disease.
- Hosts entertaining at home should make sure frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after gatherings.
Governor's Office
- Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on the state's vaccination distribution plan and information on new treatments for COVID-19. Watch the Governor's update. In his message, the Governor mentioned:
- The State of Florida is working to procure new treatment options and is developing a plan for the distribution of a safe and effective vaccine.
- A new therapeutic developed by Eli Lily has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use. It is an IV treatment and is best for people who are at high risk of severe complications. The state has supplied hospitals across the state with 3,000 doses of this treatment.
- Since July, the state has been planning for vaccine distribution, purchasing supplies and developing a distribution model.
- Pfizer and Moderna have reported their vaccines are 95% effective, and millions of doses are ready to ship once the FDA has approved these vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine requires a much lower storage temperature than typical vaccines. The state has identified five hospital systems with the capacity to store the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna vaccine can be stored at temperatures more consistent with which hospitals currently store vaccines.
- DeSantis anticipates Florida hospitals receiving doses of the vaccine within 3 to 6 weeks of FDA approval.
- Long-term care facilities, CVS and Walgreens will begin receiving the vaccine shortly after Florida hospitals.
