Two More Die From COVID-19 In Escambia County
April 18, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
The number of coronavirus cases in Escambia County topped 300 on Saturday as Escambia County record two new deaths.
Both deaths were long-term care facility patients — a 69-year old male and a 52-year old female. Both had no travel history but did have contact with known cases.
There are now 304 total COVID cases in Escambia County, up by 14 since Friday. Santa Rosa County’s total was up three to 133.
The number of Escambia County cases in residents or staff of long-term care facilities increased by four Saturday to a total of 60. The number of long-term cases in Santa Rosa County increase by eight to a total of nine.
Statewide, there were 25,492 cases including 24,797 Florida residents. There have been 3,745 hospitalizations and 748 deaths.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 304 (+14 since Friday)
- Long-term care cases — 58 (+2 since Friday)
- Pensacola — 238
- Cantonment — 34
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 1
- Century — 1
- Residents: 263
- Nonresidents — 19
- Hospitalizations: 28*
- Deaths — 8
- Male — 132
- Female — 152
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 98
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 133 (+3 since Friday)
- Long-term care cases — 9
- Milton — 69
- Navarre — 29
- Gulf Breeze — 23
- Pace — 9
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 0
- Hospitalizations — 17*
- Deaths — 6
- Male — 91
- Female — 42
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 25,492
- Florida residents — 24,797
- Deaths — 748
- Hospitalizations — 3,745*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Florida Schools To Remain Closed The Rest Of The School Year
April 18, 2020
Florida schools will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday.
“It’s obviously not the ideal situation, but given where we are in the school year, we felt that that was the best decision to go forward,” DeSantis said, adding the state’s progress with virtual education made his decision easier.
“You have huge participation. Florida’s worked very hard to be a leader on that,” DeSantis said. “We have folks all over the country watching what we’re doing, so I felt that that was a good thing.”
The Department of Education (DOE) was weighing whether a reopening advisory would be limited to some school districts and whether parents could choose to keep their children distance learning.
“I think you had kind of a division amongst folks whether this was a good idea or not, and I think the last thing you want to do is, like, force everyone in school then have half the kids not show up because their parents didn’t want, teachers didn’t want to do it.”
School administrators across the state were advising against students returning. Giving students only two weeks of in-person classes would not have provided students a big enough academic benefit, DeSantis acknowledged.
FloridaPoltics.com contributed to this report.
Gina Johnson
April 18, 2020
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved Gina Johnson on April 17, 2020, at the age of 38. Gina was a source of light, compassion and encouragement to all that knew her. If you were a part of her life then you knew, without a doubt, that you were fiercely loved. Her family was huge because everyone she met became a part of it. She lit up the world with a bright light and that light will continue to shine on in our memories.
She was a lifelong resident of Pensacola, FL, and a graduate of Pensacola High School, Class of 2000. She is survived by her mother, Jean Johnson, father Joe Johnson, beloved family members and the many friends she encountered along the way. Gina touched many lives and in turn, you all have touched us by loving our girl.
In lieu of a service, Gina requested that you gather, when possible, to celebrate her life and the memories you shared together. As you gather, please feel free to share pictures and sentiments to her Facebook or Instagram pages, in her honor.
Escambia Commission To Discuss Reopening Beaches In Special Meeting
April 18, 2020
The Escambia County Commission will hold a special meeting on April 28 to discuss reopening public beaches.
The commission closed the public beaches and Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key back on March 21 in a effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order is currently set to expire on April 30.
Santa Rosa County Commissioner Sam Parker has said he will propose reopening beaches in Santa Rosa County for exercise activities include fishing, swimming, surfing, walking, jogging and biking. The Santa Rosa County Commission could consider the idea on April 23.
The Escambia County Commission special meeting about reopening beaches will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28.
The commission meeting will be live streamed, and the public is urged to participate electronically and submit any comments or questions before the meeting to maximize social distancing. A public input form has been made available, and form comments will be read into the record during the meeting.
Florida, Escambia County Jobless Rate Soars, And The Numbers Don’t Include April
April 18, 2020
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in March 2020, up 1.5 percentage points from the February 2020 rate, it’s expected to be even worse when the April data is released next month.
There were 444,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,335,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in March.
The March labor statistics reflect some of the early effects of the coronavirus and efforts to contain it. Note that the March survey reference period that includes the week of the 12th predated many coronavirus-related business and school closures that occurred in the second half of the month.
The Escambia County unemployment rate jumped to 4.5% in March, up from 3.2% in February, representing an increase of about 2,000 people out of work.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate increased from 2.8% to 4% during the same period.
Over a half million people have filed unemployment in Florida since the coronavirus shutdowns began, which will lead to higher unemployment data for April. Almost 181,300 Floridians filed for unemployment just last week.
Mustang Reportedly Being Raced On Highway 95A Splits In Half After Hitting Utility Pole, Injuring Two
April 18, 2020
A Ford Mustang reportedly being raced down Highway 95A was split in half when it collided with a utility pole Friday evening, sending two people to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 1989 black Ford Mustang was traveling south at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane of Highway 95A near Countri Lane in Cantonment about 7 p.m.
The driver, identified as 47-year old Antony Lee Thompkins of Pensacola, failed to maintain control, as the vehicle rotated off the roadway hit a utility pole. The engine compartment and dash of the vehicle wrapped around the pole, as the remaining part of the vehicle separated and became airborne before landing by railroad tracks that run parallel to Highway 95A.
Thompkins and his passenger, 27-year old Devon Woodard of Robertsdale, were not wearing seat belts and were ejected. Both were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Tompkins was in critical condition, Woodard in serious condition.
Witnesses on scene told the the Florida Highway Patrol trooper that the black Mustang that crashed may have been racing an older model blue Mustang that was last seen traveling south on Pauline Street. The blue Mustang was described as a mid-90s fastback or “fox body” driven by a white male. The vehicle had a black carbon fiber hood.
Anyone with information on the second Mustang or the crash is asked to call Trooper Knowles at *FHP (*347) from a cell phone, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Charges in the crash are pending, according to FHP.
Gulf Power initially reported about 750 customers lost power as a result of the crash.
NorthEcambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Four Dead, 41 Positives For COVID-19 At Blackwater Prison, Hundreds In Quarantine; Six Quarantined At Century Prison
April 18, 2020
New data from the Florida Department of Corrections provides insight into the COVID-19 situation at Blackwater Correctional Facility in Milton and Century Correctional Institution.
As of Friday, there have been four inmate deaths at Blackwater, 34 positive inmates (including the fatalities) and nine positive staff member cases. Six inmates have tested negative and 11 are awaiting results.
There are 737 inmates on medical quarantine at Blackwater and 23 inmates in medical isolation.
At Century Correctional, one staff member has tested positive and six are in security quarantine.
The Florida Department of Corrections provided the followig definitions of “medical isolation”, “medical quarantine” and “security quarantine”"
- “Medical quarantine refers to the practice of separating individuals who have had close contact with a person who has tested positive or presented with symptoms of an infectious illness to determine whether they develop symptoms. All inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day to check for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and immediately engage with the county health department,” the prison system said in a statement.
- “Medical Isolation refers to the practice of separating a confirmed or suspected individual with an infectious illness, to prevent contact with others and to reduce the risk of transmission. All inmates in medical isolation are tested for COVID-19 and are monitored by health services staff,” according to FDC.
- “Security Quarantine refers to the practice of separating individuals who have recently transferred to a correctional facility. These inmates are asymptomatic and entering the facility from outside court, a community/work release center, county jail, etc. Security quarantine is a precautionary measure. Medical staff monitor these inmates to ensure no inmates show symptoms of illness. At the conclusion of security quarantine, inmates are moved to the general population.”
Update: Health Department Lowers Number Of Escambia County (AL) COVID-19 Positive Cases
April 18, 2020
Update: Friday night, the Alabama Department of Health listed 14 COVID-19 cases in Escambia County (AL). By Saturday morning, two cases were reclassified to other counties, putting the total back to 12.
ADH is reporting 226 total COVID-19 tests have been performed in Escambia County, a positive rate of about 5.3%.
There have been no coronavirus related deaths in Escambia County.
The Alabama Department of Health reported 4,482 total positive cases in the state out of 42,538 tests. Their have been 154 reported deaths statewide.
USDA Approves Florida’s State Hemp Program, Growing Begins As Early As April 27
April 18, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved Florida’s state hemp program on Thursday, clearing the way for Florida growers to begin cultivating hemp later this month. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), offered the following statement:
“After months of incorporating feedback from the public, growers, and industry stakeholders, we are thrilled that Florida’s hemp industry officially begins now,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “By working closely with our farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers, Florida’s state hemp program will become a model for the nation, will set a gold standard for this emerging industry, and will create billions in economic opportunity for Florida. As our economy deals with the impacts of COVID-19, this approval will give our agriculture industry a new alternative crop for many years to come.”
With the state hemp program’s rules now filed for adoption and approved by USDA, FDACS will begin accepting applications to grow industrial hemp on April 27, the first day authorized under the state filing timeframe, online at FDACS.gov/Cannabis.
Be Alert: Sunday Shaping Up To Be A Severe Weather Day; Clouds And Maybe A Shower For Saturday
April 18, 2020
There is an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) of severe storms for Sunday across the entire NorthEscambia area.
All severe weather impacts possible, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile, including daging wind gusts, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain rates in a short period of time which could lead to flooding. The weather service said the storms will move through Sunday morning through Sunday night, with the best chances for severe weather Sunday afternoon through the late evening.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 65. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
