Here's a look at the week ahead in news
Weekly COVID update
Florida's coronavirus numbers hi the five million mark Saturday according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total number is total to 5,041,918. Florida is the third state to reach five million coronavirus cases.
The statewide positivity rate for new infections fell for the first time in weeks from 31.2% to 29.3%. The state's COVID-19 death toll now stands at 63,158, up 470 from a week earlier. A total of 15,067,643 Florida residents have been vaccinated, a weekly increase of 86,383. In all, 72% of Florida’s population over the age of five has received at least one dose of vaccine.
COVID testing sites are changing in Pensacola
With the recent surge of COVID cases, Ascension Medical Group has suspended its COVID testing site to redirect staff to hospital duties. The Florida Department of Health has sites open every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find more information here. Starting Wednesday, you'll be able to order free at-home tests courtesy of the White House.
Achieve Escambia
The Achieve Healthy Escarosa Data Project started to provide data-driven solutions to the local area that looks at five focus areas: health and well-being, quality of place, education, economic vitality, and workforce and demographics. The latest numbers are online now. Read more about the project, here.
Food assistance still a big community need
As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, local food insecurity remains high. In 2021, food assistance organizations worked to feed thousands. 2022 will be no different, says local organizations.
From around the state: How a marine biologist teaches youth about Florida’s changing climate
Kathy Guindon has spent almost 27 years working as a marine scientist. And she’s on a mission to instill passion for conservation in the young people of her community as director of the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, in Apollo Beach.