NPR for Florida's Great Northwest
00000177-b32b-d5f4-a5ff-bbfb6e660000Here is the information you need to know about COVID-19 in Northwest Florida. We will keep this post updated with the latest information from local, and statewide agencies. For inforamtion from Centers for Disease Control and prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirusFor updates on Florida cases of coronavirus, visit the FDOH dashboard.The COVID-19 call center is available at 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week of May 18

Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, May 24

Latest from Florida DOH

Food Giveaway in Navarre 

Saturday, May 23

Escambia to open drive-thru testing site

Escambia County has announced a drive-thru testing site will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1300 W. Gregory St., Pensacola, 32502.

All Florida residents, with or without symptoms, can be tested. No appointment is needed. Bring your Florida driver license. Only Florida residents will be tested.

43 more deaths reported; another in Escambia

There are a total of 50,127 Florida cases with 2,233 deaths related to COVID-19.

Since data reported at 10 a.m. Friday, the deaths of 43 Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported in Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Dade, Escambia, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Manatee, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

There are a total of 49,451 Florida cases with 2,190 deaths related to COVID-19.

Since data reported at 10 a.m. Thursday, the deaths of 46 Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported in Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Desoto, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

Friday, May 22

25 dead among Escambia’s 740 cases

As of 2 p.m., Escambia County has had 740 positive COVID-19 cases The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 25 individuals.

COVID tests at PSC Warrington Campus

Escambia County has announced that the Pensacola State College Warrington Campus, 5555 U.S.  98 West, Pensacola, FL 32507, is a site for those who wish to be tested for exposure to the coronavirus.

The site is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and May 29. Testing is available for Florida residents with or without symptoms of the virus. It is a drive-thru test; no appointment is necessary. Those who seek the test are asked to bring their Florida driver license.

Baptist video focuses on safety

As Baptist Health Care continues to respond to COVID-19, the focus is on the safety of the people in its care and its team members. This week’s video message from President and CEO Mark Faulkner provides an update on Baptist’s COVID-19 response and reinforces the importance of the steps the community needs to take for a successful and safe reopening of the local economy. 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Faulkner’s message also includes tips from Dr. David Josephs of Lakeview Center for managing the stress and anxiety that are impacting so many during these challenging days. 

The video can be viewed at https://ebaptisthealthcare.org/Health/videos. 

Thursday, May 21

Escambia death toll climbs to 24

As of 2 p.m., Escambia County has had 734 positive COVID-19 cases.  The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 24 individuals.

Details About City Of Fort Walton Beach's COVID-19 Small Business Grant 

Escambia County: Public Beaches Reopen Fully

Escambia County public beaches are 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.

48 more deaths in Florida, including Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton

There are a total of 48,675 Florida cases with 2,144 deaths related to COVID-19, the state Department of Health reports.

Since data reported at 10 a.m. Central Wednesday, the deaths of 48 Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported in Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Duval, Escambia, Manatee, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Volusia and Walton counties.

Food Giveaway This Morning in Milton

Niceville Drive-Thru Test Site Canceled 

The drive-thru test site scheduled for today in Niceville from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. was canceled due to weather. If rescheduled, it will be announced at a later date. For up-to-date information visit healthyokaloosa.com.

Wednesday, May 20

Escambia has 723 cases; death toll at 21

As of 2 p.m. Escambia County has had 723 positive COVID-19 cases.  The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 21 individuals.

44 more deaths in Florida

Today, as of 10 a.m. Central., there are 527 new positive COVID-19 cases (513 Florida residents and 14 non-Florida residents) and 44 Florida resident deaths related to COVID-19.

There are a total of 47,471 Florida cases with 2,096 deaths related to COVID-19.

Since data reported at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the deaths of 44 Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported in Broward, Charlotte, Dade, Hillsborough, Manatee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia and Walton counties.

719 cases in Escambia

As of 2 p.m., Tuesday, Escambia County has had 719 positive COVID-19 cases.  The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 21 individuals.

Tuesday, May 19

Innerarity Point Park opens Wednesday

In a news release, Escambia County officials said Innerarity Point Park, 3835 Cruzat Way,  is scheduled to  open to the public at sunrise Wednesday. The park will be open daily from sunrise to sunset, and Escambia County would like to remind residents to maintain social distancing.

A ceremony will be scheduled for a later date.

Santa Rosa libraries to reopen partially

The Santa Rosa Library System is implementing a phased approach to reopening.

Tuesday May 26:

Libraries will open for computer use only.

Reservations must be made in advance; sessions are limited to one hour and will not be extended.

Patrons may call beginning Friday May 22 to make reservations for the following week.

For details or to make a reservation, call your library at 981-READ (7323).

Monday June. 1

Libraries will be open to the public for browsing and computer use.

Advanced computer reservations are still required.

All library meeting rooms remain closed until further notice.

To encourage social distancing, a limited number of patrons will be allowed inside at a time.

Masks are encouraged.

Curbside pickup will still be available; patrons are encouraged to continue using this service.

Call 981-READ (7323) for questions.

Summer Reading
Imagine your story with summer reading programs for the entire family. All programs will be online and will begin Mon., Jun. 1. Registration will begin Tues., May 26. For more details or to register, visit the library’s summer reading page or call 981-READ (7323). Thank you to the Friends of the Library groups for sponsoring this event.

Monday, May 18

707 cases in Escambia; death toll at 20

As of 10 a.m. today, Escambia County has had 707 positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Escambia County residents is 20 individuals.

UWF COVID-19 Testing Site to continue

The mobile testing site at the UWF Pensacola campus has extended operations and will be open to the public everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Saturday, May 30.

The drive-through test site is located at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus, near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles, and pre-screening is not required. 

There are signs at both entrances to the campus to direct those who wish to be tested.

OneBlood Now Testing All Donations For Coronavirus Antibody

OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, is now testing all blood 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. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal at www.oneblood.org.

Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate.  Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.

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