COVID-19 Update #52 - Fri., July 24

Santa Rosa County

July 23 BOCC Regular Meeting COVID Highlights

• Senator Doug Broxson presented a COVID Blood/Plasma Donation Pledge flyer to the board, urging everyone who is physically capable of donating plasma or blood to pledge to do so every 60 days during the pandemic. The need for blood is a constant, and convalescent plasma from recovered COVID patients is being evaluated as a treatment for those with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID infections. Donations can be scheduled online at OneBlood.org. The public is reminded not to present to donate if presenting flu-like symptoms including a fever or cough.
• Consultant VisionFirst Advisors presented a conceptual framework for CARES Act allocation to the board. To date, $8,040,299 (25%) of the total available CARES Act allocation has been distributed to the county pursuant to the agreement with the Florida Department of Emergency Management. The board approved the framework which includes contracting with Sacred Heart Hospital to establish two testing sites – one in the north end and one in the south end – to test up to 300 people per day, five days a week, and purchase of associated equipment. Information on the dates, hours and locations for those two new test sites will published after they are finalized.
• The board also voted to receive $1,632,668 from the Housing Coronovirus Relief Fund. Staff will work with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for implementation.

County Updates

• The Florida Department of Health provides a detailed list of COVID data by county. This info changes daily. Santa Rosa County begins on page 111.
• See also the Santa Rosa County COVID dashboard.
• As COVID-19 cases rise in Santa Rosa County, the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners and Emergency Management continue to work hand-in-hand with hospitals, cities, state government and the department of health. The commission and key staff are in daily contact with all stakeholders in the COVID-19 response and are closely monitoring hospital intakes and stand ready to address public health concerns locally.
• The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners encourages residents and visitors, particularly those at high risk, to wear masks in public and continue social distancing in accordance with the Florida State Surgeon General.
• Citizens are encouraged to continue to use alternative options to conduct business with the county including services online, by phone, by dropbox or by appointment for business as much as possible and are asked not to enter county offices if exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
• Facilities are disinfected daily and splash guards have been installed and the county will continue to follow the governor’s executive orders and the CDC guidelines of social distancing until further notice, however everyone has a role in the ensuring the county is as safe as possible to remain open.
• The annual Homemaker's Holiday Craft Show (scheduled for Nov. 6-7) has been cancelled.

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Testing

• No appointment necessary and no prescreening required.
• No cost or copay but bring photo ID and any insurance cards.
• Testing may be oral swabs or nasal swabs.
• This is not a test for antibodies. 
• For questions, contact the Department of Health (850-564-2307).
  
  
• Santa Rosa County DOH testing sites:
  Remain in your vehicle for the duration of the process. More details.
  • Milton Community Center
    Wednesdays | 8:30-11:30 a.m.
    5629 Byrom St, in Milton
    
    
  • Community Life United Methodist Church
    Thursdays | 8:30-11:30 a.m.
    4115 Soundside Dr. in Gulf Breeze
• Santa Rosa/Escambia state testing site:
  University of West Florida parking lot SP2 (near the East Sports Complex)
  Daily | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Adults 18 and over only)
  11000 University Pkwy., Pensacola (map)

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Santa Rosa County School District
Please visit their web site for the latest information: www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/bts2021
Contact BackToSchool@santarosa.k12.fl.us with specific questions.

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Santa Rosa County Health Department
Santa Rosa DOH has masks available for individuals or businesses at 5527 Stewart St. in Milton or 5840 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. in Gulf Breeze. Call 850-564-2307.

WEAR FACE COVERINGS
Per the Surgeon General's health advisory, all individuals should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible, unless:

• A child is under two years of age.
• An individual has medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering.
• An individual is obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
• An individual works in a profession where use of a face covering will not be compatible with the duties of the profession.
• An individual is engaged in outdoor work or recreation with appropriate social distancing in place.

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS

• Maintain a distance of six feet from others in any social situation.  
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, frequently with an appropriate cleaner. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website maintains a list of products determined to be effective against COVID-19.
• Refrain from participating in recreational gatherings of more than 50 people.
• For gatherings of less than 50 people, wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
• If you are coughing, sneezing or feverish, stay home and call your physician.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Individuals over the age of 65 and of any age with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the disease are especially vulnerable. These include:

• Chronic lung disease
• Moderate to severe asthma
• Serious heart conditions
• Anything that compromises the immune system, such as poorly controlled HIV/AIDS, treatment for cancer, bone marrow or organ transplant
• Diabetes
• Renal failure
• Liver disease

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OneBlood

• OneBlood web site is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor has antibodies, regardless of whether they showed symptoms. 
• Appointments to donate are required.
• Do not donate if you are not feeling well or have a fever. 

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Feeding Programs
There are many feeding programs in the county where residents can pick up enough food for a family of four for at least a week. See the calendar for a complete schedule or map of closest location. There are no restrictions on who may utilize this program.

• County Office Openings, Closures and Hours

• SantaRosaReady.com (assistance for business owners)

• Florida Governor's Executive Orders

• Florida Department of Health

• COVID-19 dashboard (scroll to Santa Rosa County for local information)
  • COVID-19 webpage
  • COVID-19@flhealth.gov
• 211 Northwest Florida 

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