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40 reported, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in county

Escambia County Healthcare Authority officials said today that there have been 40 reported and confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of its two hospitals.

At Atmore Community Hospital, there have been 34 confirmed COVID19 cases, 431 specimens collected, 387 negative results, nine pending results and one inconclusive.

At D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, there have been six confirmed cases, 234 specimens collected, 220 negative results, eight pending and zero inconclusive.

Due to the timing of the inforamtion, these numbers may differ from the Alabama Department of Public Health’s. Confirmed cases are recorded by public health officials in the patient’s county of residence, according to the ECHA.

According to the ADPH, there have been 39 confirmed cases, 985 specimens collected and three patient deaths in Escambia County, Ala.

On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey issued an expanded safer-at-home order, which begins today, May 22, at 5 p.m. and ends July 3.

The new amended order, which ends on July 3 at 5 p.m., allows the following:

New updates

• Entertainment venues, such as arcades, theaters and bowling alleys can open subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines;

• Athletic activities are open subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines;

• Educational institutions are open subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines;

• Child daycare facilities open subject to social distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines; and,

• Summer camp remain open with rules and guidelines available

What’s staying the same

• Individuals – Encouraged to stay home and follow good sanitation practices;

• Employers – Businesses may open subject to sanitation and social-distancing guidelines, including certain higher-risk businesses and activities remain closed;

• Retail stores – All retail stores open subject to 50 percent occupency rate, social distancing and sanitation rules;

• Medical procedures – Allowed unless prohibited in the future by the state health officer to preserve resources necessary to diagnose and treat COVID-19, providers must follow COVID-19 related rules nad guidance from state regulatory boards or public health authorities;

• Senior citizen centers – Regular programming still suspended except meals still available through curbside pick up or delivery;

• Hospitals and nursing homes – Still must implement policies to restrict visitation

• Restaurants, bars and breweris – May open with limited table seating, 6-feet between tables and subject to additional sanitation rules and guidelines;

• Beaches – Open with no limit on gatherings. Participants must maintain 6-feet of separation.

• Close-contact service providers – Close-contact providers such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo services may open subject to social distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines;

• Athletic facilities, such as fitness centers and commercial gyms – Athletic facilities may open subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules and guidelines. Specified athletic activities are still not allowed;