Two Escambia County (AL) COVID-19 Cases Confirmed; Third Person Tests Positive At Atmore Community Hospital
April 3, 2020
As a second case of coronavirus was reported in Escambia County, Alabama, we’ve learned that another individual tested positive at Atmore Community Hospital.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported two positive cases in the county as of Thursday night. The Escambia County Healthcare Authority, which oversees Atmore Community Hospital and D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton — said neither of those patients were tested at their hospitals.
A separate patient that took a COVID-19 test at Atmore Community Hospital has tested positive, according to the healthcare authority. That person’s results won’t be reported as another local positive because they were not a resident of Escambia County, Alabama. The authority said the positive result will be reported by the Alabama Department of Health in the patient’s home county.
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority issued a statement that assured the public that “it is safe to seek care” at both Atmore Community and D.W. McMillan hospitals.
“We have the facilities and expertise to care for those patients while protecting the safety of all our patients, visitors and employees,” the statement said.
Pictured: Atmore Community Hospital. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Forecasters Call For Above Active Hurricane Season
April 3, 2020
Colorado State University on Thursday issued their hurricane season forecast for 2020.
It calls for an above-average season with 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major Category 3 or greater hurricanes. The above-average forecast is based upon the anticipated lack of an El Niño this summer and fall and a warmer than normal tropical Atlantic.
El Niño generally increases vertical wind shear in the Atlantic and serves to tear apart hurricanes.
During an average season, there are 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Colorado State researchers are considered among the best seasonal forecasters. They will issue an updated forecast on June 4.
Pictured: Category 5 Hurricane Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach, Florida, in 2018. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Commission Votes To Keep Beaches Closed Until Further Notice
April 2, 2020
The Escambia County Commission voted 4-1 Thursday night to keep the public beaches in Escambia County closed.
Commissioner Lumon May made the motion to keep the beaches closed until further notice. Commissioner Doug Underhill cast the lone dissenting vote.
Underhill made a motion to open the beaches and find a away for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to enforce distancing. His motion failed due to lack of a second. Underhill argued that COVID-19 cases were not increasing exponentially in Florida, but the beach closure is causing undue financial hardships on local residents.
The commission’s previously approved order to close the beaches would have expired at midnight Thursday.
Second COVID-19 Case Confirmed In Escambia County, Alabama
April 2, 2020
The second confirmed case of COVID-19 has been reported in Escambia County, Alabama, by the Alabama Department of Health.
The Alabama Department of Health did not provide additional information such as city of residence or age of either patient.
There are 1,202 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide in Alabama as of Thursday afternoon.
Escambia Superintendent Thomas Vows To Eventually Hold Graduation Ceremony For The Class Of 2020
April 2, 2020
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said Thursday that district will do everything possible to hold a high school graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, even if that means waiting until July due to coronavirus.
“Everybody is worried about graduation and commencement exercises being canceled. At this point, it doesn’t look like it’s very hopeful that we would hold a commencement at the end of May,” Thomas said Thursday. “But I have said since the beginning, we’re going to do whatever we can do to make sure a graduation ceremony is held.”
Thomas said he believes the district could wait as late as July and still have a majority of students still in the community.
“If that were the case and we were allowed to assemble large groups in July, we would go to the civic center and we would have a graduation ceremony,” he said. As for now, no final decisions are being made about date or location as the COVID-19 situation progresses.
“I will tell you this, we will do something to make sure we honor our seniors who’ve spent their life thus far preparing for that moment where they can walk across a stage in a cap and gown, have a picture taken and receive a diploma. We know that’s important, and we aregoing to support that in any way we can,” Thomas added.
How Many Hospital Beds Are Currently Available In Escambia, Santa Rosa?
April 2, 2020
Newly released data shows the number of hospital beds and intensive care hospital beds available in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
As of Thursday afternoon, over 50% of all hospital beds in both counties were available, and about 5o% of all ICU beds were also available.
ADULT ICU BED CAPACITY
Escambia County
- Total Adult ICU Capacity – 144
- Current Adult ICE Patients- 77
- Available Adult ICU – 67
- Percent Available Adult ICU – 46.53%
Santa Rosa County
- Total Adult ICU Capacity – 22
- Current Adult ICE Patients- 8
- Available Adult ICU – 14
- Percent Available Adult ICU – 63.64%
- Total Pediatric ICU Capacity – 10
- Current Pediatric ICE Patients-2
- Available Pediatric ICU – 8
- Percent Available Pediatric ICU – 80%
- Total Pediatric ICU Capacity – 0
TOTAL HOSPITAL BEDS
Escambia County
Ascension Sacred Heart
- Total Capacity – 1,923
- Available – 1,097
- Current Patients – 826
- Percent Available - 57.05%
Baptist Hospital
- Total Capacity – 608
- Available – 321
- Current Patients – 287
- Percent Available – 52.80%
West Florida Hospital
- Total Capacity – 348
- Available – 178
- Current Patients – 170
- Percent Available – 51.15%
Santa Rosa County
Jay Hospital
- Total Capacity – 21
- Available – 14
- Current Patients – 7
- Percent Available – 66.67%
Santa Rosa Medical Center
- Total Capacity – 140
- Available – 94
- Current Patients – 46
- Percent Available – 67.14%
West Florida Community Care Center
- Total Capacity – 101
- Available – 56
- Current Patients -45
- Percent Available – 55.45%
Gulf Breeze Hospital
- Total Capacity – 72
- Available – 49
- Current Patients -23
- Percent Available – 68.06%
Source: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Suspect Recently Arrested In 35-Year Old Cold Case Murder Commits Suicide In Jail
April 2, 2020
The man arrested last month in a 1985 murder case apparently committed suicide Thursday morning at the Escambia County Jail.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Daniel Leonard Wells took his own life in his cell early Thursday morning, just a few days ahead of a scheduled court appearance on April 8.
He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley.
She was killed in the early-morning hours of January 1, 1985. Her partially nude body was found on the side of Peak Drive near Scenic Highway about four hours after she was last seen alive at Darryl’s Restaurant behind what was then University Mall. The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted.
Wells was developed as the suspect after a DNA sample from the crime scene ran through a database identified some of his’ relatives. Police created a family tree and tracked him down. They surreptitiously obtained a cigarette butt discarded by Wells and made a DNA match to the crime scene.
Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on March 18.
ECSO Won’t Be Arresting People For Violating Stay-At-Home Order. ‘We Are Not In The Middle Of Martial Law,’ Sheriff Says
April 2, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office won’t be making arrests or traffic stops for violating the stay-at-home order issued Wednesday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but instead the department will focus on large group gatherings.
“‘It’s pretty much business as usual. So again, everybody calm down. You’re not going to be arrested for leaving your home,” Sheriff David Morgan said Wednesday. “You’re probably not even going to be stopped and questioned.”
“The bottom line is that we are not going to be doing traffic stops or roadblocks, because there are so many exemptions,” Escambia County Chief Deputy Chip Simmon told NorthEscambia.com. The governor’s order and associated documents contain pages and pages of essential services and other exemptions to the stay-at-home policy.
The governor’s order did specify that “senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition (such as chronic lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised status, cancer, diabetes, severe obesity, renal failure and liver disease) shall stay at home.”
Morgan and Simmons said that is really good guidance that should be followed, but it too does not prevent people from leaving their homes.
“We are not in the middle of martial law. You are not going to be arrested for leaving your home. No one is telling you you can’t leave your home,” Morgan said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will be paying particular attention to the section of the order that prevent social gatherings of more than 10 people in any public space.
“We will look closest at the group gatherings,” Simmons said. “We may stop and say disperse.”
To read the governor’s order and see the exemptions and essential business types, click here.
FHSAA Looks At ‘Creative Solutions’ To Finish Spring Sports Seasons
April 2, 2020
It’s seemingly very unlikely that students will return to Florida high schools in time to finish spring sports, but the Florida High School Athletic Association is looking at “creative solutions” just in case.
The FHSAA said that spring sports could continue through June 30.
“The FHSAA does understand the hardships caused by COVID-19 and the inability to play spring sports. If we are not able to continue spring sports, the FHSAA is working diligently to create a plan regarding additional eligibility for students who have not been able to participate in spring sports,” the FHSAA said in an update.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, fans and local communities are our top priority. We appreciate all member schools’ cooperation in following federal, state and local recommendations and mandates during this time.”
The Florida Department of Education has mandated the closure of schools until at least May 3, which also the ending date of the governor’s new “safer at home” order that asks Floridians to stay home except for essential business.
Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has said sports and extracurricular activities are canceled through the remainder of the school year.
Pictured: Avery Beauchaine and Cam Wolfenden homered for the Tate Lady Aggies during a Tuesday, March 10 win over Navarre — just days before spring break and a COVID-19 school closure. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Closing Facilities During Stay At Home Order
April 2, 2020
In response to the stay-at-home order issued for Florida, Camp Fire Gulf Wind has announced they are closing all facilities, including the Campfire Century Youth Learning Center, PSC Child Development Center and their office on Creighton Road.
VPK graduation in Century and Pensacola has been canceled. After-school sites at Longleaf Elementary and Scenic Heights Elementary will remain closed until schools reopen.
The sites will be closed April 3 through May 4.
“Know that this decision was not made lightly, but the health and safety of our children, families, and staff is a priority. Please stay safe and healthy and we will see you on the other side of this situation,” Camp Fire posted on social media.
There are currently no changes to summer day camps.
Parents with questions can leave a message at (850) 476-1760.