Dave Dunwoody

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson is asking residents for a little more time, to help put the brakes on the local coronavirus outbreak.

Robinson, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, and other leaders this week met with officials from Baptist, Sacred Heard and West Florida, along with Northwest Florida Community Health and the Florida Department of Health. One topic dealt with the number of patients being checked for coronavirus as of Thursday.

In the nearly two weeks Ascension-Sacred Heart Hospital has been conducting its drive-through testing for coronavirus, the numbers have been increasing daily. And the program could live beyond the current crisis.

The idea was based on the volume of patients coming through Sacred Heart’s emergency room. Chief operating officer Justin Labrato says they wanted to make sure they could keep all patients and health care workers safe.

Given 72 hours to draw up a plan, the team looked at similar drive-throughs in the western states, and made some tweaks.

Florida’s battle against coronavirus is getting a new supply headquarters downstate, for distribution of needed equipment to help grassroots health care efforts.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and senior administration officials were at the state logistics center in Orlando on Wednesday, to illustrate Florida’s preparation for what’s expected to be an increase in the number of patients with COVID-19.

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise locally and across Florida, one Panhandle city is taking action.

Milton Mayor Heather Lindsey says a state of emergency has existed there since Monday, following declarations by Gulf Breeze and Santa Rosa County. Under the city code, the mayor of Milton has the authority to make such a declaration for 72 hrs. Beyond that require City Council approval. Lindsey and the council met in emergency session Monday night, with the council agreeing to extend it to April 30.

If he had his druthers, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would avoid imposing a statewide lock down because of the coronavirus. In his daily update on the disease, he outlined the thinking behind his position on Tuesday.

While several other governors have called for a statewide shutdown and stay-at-home orders because of the virus, DeSantis is shifting the onus to residents from elsewhere, especially from New York City.

Fraud schemes related to COVID-19 are on the rise in Florida, as scammers look to take advantage of people in various ways during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is not the time to let down your guard.

As of Monday night, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office had received more than 600 complaints regarding products such as cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and face masks. 

City of Pensacola and Escambia County leaders provided an update on the coronavirus’ impact on the area on Monday, as the number of reported cases continue to rise.

At the start of his weekly news conference, Mayor Grover Robinson told constituents, “we will get through this – we will find a way.”

The mayor and the others spoke at the Brownsville Community Center, where testing for COVID-19 began Monday morning. 

The University of West Florida is shut down for at least the next two weeks thanks to the possible threat from the novel coronavirus. The bug has caused a drastic reduction in campus activities.  

President Martha Saunders gave some familiar-sounding advice while meeting with the local media Tuesday at President’s Hall, an on-campus residential building.

“The campus is very different today; as a response to the coronavirus we have encouraged students to stay away,” said Saunders.

In accordance with safeguards against coronavirus, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson held his weekly news conference outdoors in City Hall’s courtyard.

On a cool, breezy morning, chairs for the media were set about three feet apart to practice “social distancing.”

“The city of Pensacola is very focused on the whole, well-rounded picture of everything,” said Robinson. “We’re not simply looking at it from one angle; we’re looking at it from 360 [degree] position as far as all of our citizens.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis was back before the media Sunday, with the latest on COVID-19 and the inroads it’s making into Florida.

As of late Sunday, Florida's confirmed cases of new COVID-19 jumped by 39, reaching 100 total as testing expands and the results become known. According to the Florida Department of Health, 16 of the new cases are in Broward County -- the state's epicenter for the disease --with 36 confirmed infections; and four people have died -- the latest a 77-year-old man in Lee County.

In addition to major sports leagues and events, the minor leagues are also feeling the pinch of coronavirus – including Pensacola’s two pro sports teams.

The decision by the Southern Professional Hockey league came as no surprise to Pensacola Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris.

Amid concerns about the coronavirus and its future in Florida, tourism officials remain optimistic about the upcoming tourist season.

There are no plans to cancel any events at Pensacola Beach, including the popular Bands on the Beach outdoor concert series, which kicks off April 7. As part of the local caution, Visit Pensacola’s Nicole Stacey says they’re in touch with all local hospitals and agencies on pretty much a daily basis.

Florida’s public universities – including West Florida – are telling their students to stay away from the campuses for at least two weeks after the end of spring break, because of coronavirus. 

The Board of Governors made the call on Wednesday. While this is voluntary at this time, it’s possible it will become mandatory at some point. Universities are urged to prepare now.

Health officials in Florida report eight new cases of coronavirus as of late Wednesday, bringing the total diagnosed to 21. This as Gov. Ron DeSantis says action is being taken on a number of levels.

Speaking in Tallahassee, DeSantis said they’ve been working with “a lot of different folks” throughout the state, at the municipal level; health departments in all 67 counties, the private sector, and the feds, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Elections officials in Northwest Florida are looking for a little extra help this election cycle, starting with the March 17 presidential primary.

¿Hablas español? ¡Entonces la Oficina Electoral del Condado de Escambia te necesita!

Translation: Do you speak Spanish? Then the Escambia County Elections Office needs you.