WUWF Coronavirus Live Blog

Credit Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Here 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/coronavirus

For 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 Sept. 28

By • 23 hours ago
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Monday, Sept. 28

More than 700,000 cases in Florida

From the state department of health:

On Sunday, test results for more than 20,900 individuals were reported to DOH.

As of Monday, 701,302 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Florida. The death toll is 14,037.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week Of Sept. 21

By • Sep 27, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sept. 27

4:03 p.m.

State death toll at 14,032

From the state department of health:

Saturday’s statewide positivity rate for new cases is 4.08 percent.  

Saturday was the 45th straight day below 10 percent positivity of new cases.  

Saturday, Sept. 26

State death toll at 14,022

From the state department of health:

Friday’s statewide positivity rate for new cases is 4.15 percent.

DeSantis Orders Reopenings Amid Pandemic

By • Sep 26, 2020
Creative Commons

Despite the continued spread of COVID-19, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is lifting all restrictions on restaurants and other businesses, which were aimed at curbing the virus.

“We are today moving into what we initially called ‘Phase-3,’ and what that will mean for the restaurants is that there will not be limitations from the state of Florida,” said the governor.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week Of Sept. 14

By • Sep 20, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, Sept. 20

Florida death toll at 13,296

From the state department of health:

  • Yesterday’s statewide positivity rate for new cases is 4.64 percent.
  • Yesterday was the thirty-eighth straight day below 10 percent positivity of new cases.

Saturday, Sept. 19

State death toll at 13,287

The state department of health issued the following COVID-19 data:

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week of Sept. 7

By • Sep 13, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, Sept. 13

Florida: 32 straight days with fewer than 10 percent positive cases

Today, Florida had the 32nd straight day below 10 percent positivity of new cases. The state department of health said today, as reported at 10 a.m. Central, there are 2,423 new positive COVID-19 cases and 8 reported deaths -- 2 occurred Saturday. 

Test results for more than 62,300 individuals were reported to DOH as of midnight Saturday when 4.26 percent of new cases tested positive.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week Of Aug. 31

By • Sep 6, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, Sept. 6

3,656 New Cases 

Today, as reported at 11 a.m., there are 3,656 new positive COVID-19 cases and 61 reported deaths - five occurred yesterday, September 4.

As posted on the Agency for Health Care Administration’s hospitalization dashboard at 11:45 a.m., there are 3,235 current hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19. Test results for more than 70,000 individuals were reported to DOH as of midnight, on Friday, September 4. On September 4, 5.99 percent of new cases tested positive.

SBDC Offers Workshop To Help Restaurants

By • Sep 2, 2020
Jennie McKeon/WUWF Public Media

The restaurant industry has arguably suffered the most economic losses since the COVID-19 outbreak began. 

And as the state and country reopen, restaurant operations can be dramatically different. To help navigate new challenges, the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida will host a three-part webinar “The Restaurant COVID-19 Playbook,” which begins Sept. 9. 

DeSantis OKs Plan To Reopen Nursing Homes

By • Sep 1, 2020
northescambia.com

After six months of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities being closed to visitors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday approved a plan to reopen them.

The governor’s decision is his acceptance of the recommendations from a nursing home task force. Some of the ground rules are that relatives can visit no more than two at a time; no minor children allowed; and the wearing of masks and other protective gear.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week Of Aug. 24

By • Aug 30, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, Aug. 30

14 more deaths in Florida

Today, as reported at 10 a.m. Central, there are 2,583 new positive COVID-19 cases and 14 reported deaths -- 5 occurred Saturday.

Test results for more than 60,000 individuals were reported to DOH as of midnight Saturday, where 5.14 percent of new cases tested positive.  

To date, there are 621,586 Florida cases with 11,119 deaths related to COVID-19.  

Mayor Discusses Laura, Marco, and COVID-19

By • Aug 24, 2020
National Hurricane Center

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson used his weekly virtual news conference to urge residents to monitor the two storms out in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Marco has shifted west and we are out of the watch and warning areas for tropical storm-force winds; we’ll continue to see rain and some possible flooding,” said Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, during his virtual news conference at midday Monday.

Mask Catchers: Wear A Mask, Win A Gift Card

By • Aug 24, 2020
Jennie McKeon/WUWF Public Media

For the past month, Fort Walton Beach resident Taylor Kennedy has been on a mission to make sure people are wearing masks. 

She’s been a regular at Okaloosa County Commissioner meetings advocating for mask mandates, writing letters and sharing information to nearly 400 members in her community action Facebook group. 

Local Schools Opening: 'We're Excited To Get Back'

By • Aug 23, 2020
Sandra Averhart / WUWF Public Media

It's back to school time for students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The fall semester begins Monday. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a later start than usual and things will be a lot different this year.

In advance of this first day back, WUWF visited a local elementary school to check on final preparations for both in-person and at-home learning.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week of Aug. 17

By • Aug 23, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Sunday, Aug. 23

51 more deaths reported in Florida

Today, as reported at 10 a.m. Central, there are 2,974 new positive COVID-19 cases and 51 reported deaths -- 2 occurred Saturday.  

On Saturday, 5.52 percent of new cases tested positive. To date, there are 600,571 Florida cases with 10,525 deaths related to COVID-19.  

Local Chambers Help During COVID-19

By • Aug 17, 2020
Flickr

As businesses around the Pensacola area are feeling the deepening effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, local chambers of commerce are working to provide help.

Part of that assistance will take the form of the inaugural “Re-Employ EscaRosa” campaign, by the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce; FloridaWest, CareerSource EscaRosa, the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber, and the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce.

Coronavirus Live Blog: Week of Aug. 10

By • Aug 17, 2020
Mayra Heitman/WUWF

Monday, Aug. 17

Escambia cases top 10,300; death toll at 152

As of 2 p.m., Escambia County has had 10,317 positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Escambia County residents is 152 individuals.

89 more deaths in Florida

Today, as reported at 10 a.m. Central, there are 2,678 new positive COVID-19 cases and 89 reported deaths - two occurred Sunday. On Sunday, 8.25 percent of new cases tested positive.  

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