Bay County COVID-19 Update for April 9th, 2020

Panama City, Florida — Bay County is responding to COVID-19. In an effort to keep Bay County residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Bay County Joint Information Center will issue daily updates. The Florida Department of Health has launched a COVID-19 dashboard that will be updated twice daily. We also encourage all Floridians to take the COVID-19 Community Action Survey by visiting www.StrongerThanC19.com

Bay County’s total COVID-19 cases is at 34, including 33 residents, and one non-resident with a total of one death. A total of 396 tests have been processed for Bay County from private and public labs with 362 negative results with an eight-percent positive rate. There has been a total of five hospitalizations and one death. The residences of the 33 positive Bay County cases includes; 18 in Panama City, seven in Panama City Beach, one in Southport, five in Lynn Haven, one in Youngstown, and one in Tyndall Air Force Base. The non-resident case is from Texas.

Ascension Sacred Heart

Online urgent care is available through Ascension Online Care at a discounted $20 with the code HOME. So you can have a video visit with a doctor without leaving home. No insurance required. Visit http://ascension.org/onlinecare to start your visit.

TESTING

Priority 1

Hospitalized patients
Healthcare facility workers with symptoms

Priority 2

Long-term care facility patients with symptoms
65 years of age and older with symptoms
Underlying conditions with symptoms
First responders with symptoms

If you meet the above criteria, stop the spread and call ahead. Call ahead to your doctor, the Florida Department of Health in Bay County at (850) 872-4455 for screening. If you are eligible for testing, you will be given an appointment and instructions.

The CDC offers a self-assessment tool. You can easily access the tool at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.

If you don’t meet the CDC criteria, please consult your medical care provider for instructions. Most people who get sick with COVID-19 will have only mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.

If you develop these emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately.

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

For more information on what to do if you think you were exposed to COVID-19, visit FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov/exposure.

CLOTH FACE COVERS/MASK

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. It is important to note that these face coverings:

Are not surgical or N-95 respirators, which continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and medical first responders, and
The use of cloth face coverings does not mean we can remove previously set social distancing measures.

For information visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

HEALTH CARE

Hospitals

Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is offering a special website for COVID-19. Visit https://gcmc-pc.com/covid-19/index.dot for a COVID-19 self-assessment, information on visitation, and other COVID-19 resources.

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay also has a special website for COVID-19 available at https://healthcare.ascension.org/covid-19. There you will find information on their visitation policies and education on COVID-19. The hospital continues to accept donations for PPE and other items. For any donations contact Cecily Smith 850-209-0679. This includes food as well. The hospital continues to have a no visitor policy, only allowing individuals in for compassionate exceptions. We encourage virtual visitation and our nurses are ready to assist loved ones in communication with patients in our facility. All staff are masked while in the building.

Hospitals are not testing sites but are testing their patients that meet criteria for COVID-19.

Federally Qualified Health Center

PanCare Health is the federally qualified health center (FQHC) for Bay County. For information on COVID-19 testing with PanCare Health call (850) 215-4181 Monday through Friday from 9 am – 4 pm or visit https://pancarefl.org/covid-19.

Mental Health

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people of all ages. Fear and anxiety about the unknown can sometimes feel overwhelming to adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call the Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517). Trained counselors are available to talk with you 24/7. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website: https://www.samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness

ORDERS

Bay County

The Bay County Board of County Commissioners convened on March 17, 2020 where they voted 5-0 to declare a Local State of Emergency (LSE) (Resolution #3700) for Bay County as part of our response to COVID-19.

The Bay County Emergency Management Division is at a Level I – Full Virtual Activation supporting the Department of Health in Bay County.

Callaway

The City of Callaway is under a State of Health Emergency as declared by Bay County Board of County Commissioners.

Lynn Haven

To follow the lead of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, the City Commission declared a Local State of Emergency (LSE) for the City of Lynn Haven on March 18, 2020. In an effort to better distribute information and updates for the City concerning COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we have added an alert section on the City website title COVID-19 City Updates/Alerts. To subscribe to these alerts please select the light teal subscribe button on our main page of the City website: www.cityoflynnhaven.com.

Mexico Beach

The City of Mexico Beach is under a State of Health Emergency as declared by Bay County Board of County Commissioners.

Panama City

To follow the lead of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, the City Commission declared a Local State of Emergency (LSE) for the City of Panama City on March 18, 2020.

Panama City Beach

The City of Panama City Beach is under a State of Health Emergency as declared by Bay County Board of County Commissioners. Visit www.beachpolice.org for more information and to file a police report online.

Parker

The City of Parker is under a State of Health Emergency as declared by Bay County Board of County Commissioners. Check our website, www.CityofParker.com, for important links to the Health Department, Bay County EOC and other resources for information on COVID-19 and what you can do to try to stay safe.

Springfield

To follow the lead of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, the City Commission declared a Local State of Emergency (LSE) for the City of Springfield on March 17, 2020.

Tyndall Air Force Base

The 325th FW Commander has directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) CHARLIE (SUBSTANTIAL, Sustained community transmission) in response to COVID-19. This action is precautionary. In the case of an unusual health risk, the Department of Defense uses health protection measures known as HPCONs, to determine what actions are needed to best protect the base populace and surrounding community.

Naval Support Activity Panama City

Navy Region Southeast has directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) CHARLIE (SUBSTANTIAL, Sustained community transmission) in response to COVID-19. This action is precautionary. In the case of an unusual health risk, the DoD uses health protection measures known as HPCONs, to determine what actions are needed to best protect the base populace and surrounding community.

PANAMA CITY BEACH

CLOSURES

Bay County

The business offices of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners will be unmanned Friday, April 10 in observation of Good Friday, a scheduled holiday. Offices will reopen Monday, April 13, for business conducted via internet, telephone or by appointment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Business lobbies remain closed.

The business lobbies of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners are closed to the public effective March 24, 2020 in an effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Tax Collector’s Office

The Bay County Tax Collector’s lobbies are officially closed to walk in customers for the foreseeable future. They are will serve the community through their call center, online services, and mail and drop box locations. For the most critical needs they are doing appointment only for customers who pass a health screening.

Courts

The 14th Judicial Circuit, is not holding court proceedings and trials until further notice. Essential court proceedings are still in place via video and restricted to the public. When possible they recommend you utilize online services or call for assistance (850-763-9061) whenever possible.

Libraries

All Northwest Regional Library System branches are closed to the public in response to COVID-19. Please do not return your library items until the libraries have reopened. There will be no overdue fines. Questions? Call 850 -522-2100. The computer lab is accessible for essential tasks at the Bay County Public Library (898 W 11th Street) Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for a 1 hour session per day. The Computer Lab at the Bay County Library will also be closed on Good Friday.

UF/IFAS Extension Office
UF/IFAS Extension Bay County educational programs, events, and meetings scheduled through April 30, 2020 have been postponed due to direction from the University of Florida concerning COVID-19.

Bay County Sheriff’s Office

Lobby is closed and fingerprinting services are suspended until further notice.

Education

Bay District Schools will remain closed through May 1, 2020 based on the guidance from the Florida Department of Education. Information on meal service and distance education can be found at http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/COVID%2019. You can also call their information line at (850) 767-HELP (4357).

Florida State University-Panama City Is closed for face to face classes, but will finish out the semester with all classed moved to an on-line platform.

Gulf Coast State College Is closed for face to face classes, but will finish out the semester with all classed moved to an on-line platform.

Callaway

The City of Callaway to close lobbies on March 23, 2020 to the following- Callaway City Hall, customer service, Utility Billing, Building/permitting, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Fire Dept. and Arts and Conference center. All services will remain available but the lobbies to these departments will be closed. For more information go to www.cityofcalloway.com

Lynn Haven

As of April 2, 2020, the offices at the City of Lynn Haven and the Lynn Haven Police Department remain closed to the public.

Mexico Beach

City Hall lobby will be closed until further notice. To make utility payments place it in the drop-box located outside of City Hall, call (850) 648-5700 ext. 1, pay online at www.mexicobeachgov.com

Panama City

City Hall Lobby is closed to the public, all services remain available. Utility Billing – Citizens may pay their utility bill either:

Online at the City’s website: https;//www.pcgov.org/358/Online-Payments
Drop-box at the backside of the U.S. Post Office in Downtown Panama City
Mail-in
24-Hour phone line at (855) 748-3080, you need your account number available

The lobby of the Panama City Police Department is closed through at least April 15, 2020. Fingerprinting services at the Panama City Police Department are suspended through at least April 15, 2020. When visiting www.panamacitypolice.org, citizens of Panama City will now have the option to file a police report online. The online report system allows citizens to submit a report 24 hours a day, seven days a week via any internet-enabled computer or mobile device.

Parker

City Hall is closed to the public until further notice. Citizens are encouraged to pay their Utility Bills with the following options:

Online at the City’s website: www.cityofparker.com
City of Parker drop box located at 1001 W. Park St, Parker, FL 32404
Mail-in to City of Parker, 1001 W. Park St., Parker, FL 32404
By phone 1-866-480-8552

Springfield

City Hall will be in moderate lock down. We ask utility payments be made online or utilize the drop box located at City Hall. Please call or email if you need any assistance verses coming to City Hall. Staff will answer your questions or issue. (850) 872-7570. Online at the City’s website: www.SpringfieldFL.net

Beaches

Bay County beaches are closed.
Tyndall Air Force Base has closed their beaches
NSA Panama City has closed their beaches and marina facilities
Mexico Beach City Council voted Tuesday March 31, 2020 to close the beaches within the city limits for two weeks
City of Panama City Beaches are closed.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Bay County Sheriff’s Office

The Bay County Jail has an additional method to “visit” an inmate. By going on a website or calling a number, families and friends of inmates can visit from a home computer or using a mobile device. It does cost money, so the original video visitation is still available in the lobby of the Jail, which remains open. It is hoped the new method with decrease traffic into the jail.

Watch for COVID-19 scams. 1) There is not FDA approved home testing kit for COVID 19. Do not buy them.2) Do not give personal information or click on a link or open an attachment in an email sent by the CDC. The CDC will not send you an unsolicited email. 3) Do not give to COVID-19 related fundraising events or charities you have never before encountered. Validate all charities before you give. 4) The IRS will not be calling the American public to confirm bank account numbers to facilitate the disbursement of COVID-19 relief checks.

United Way of Northwest Florida

The United Way of Northwest Florida is providing information on public service closures and what is available in our area. Please visit their dedicated webpage at http://unitedwaynwfl.org/covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3mAU-z2kKpZuzNpZ44-Nn-7rkUZe4Cn9dmviVVEC5AMqBHERemwbWm6oQ. You may also utilize their 211 service for referrals, just call 211 from any phone or visit https://211nwfl.communityos.org/.

Rebuild Bay County

Rebuild Bay County may have resources available to assist persons in need. Visit https://rebuildbaycounty.org/ for more information.

State Resources

The Florida Department of Health has many public service opportunities available on their website including information for businesses, reemployment assistance, and mental health resources. Just visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/public-services/.

MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19

For text alert updates from the Florida Department of Health in Bay County, text bayhealth to 888-777. For additional information specific to Bay County, visit BayHealthCOVID19.com. You may also contact the Citizens Information Center 7 days a week from 10 am – 6 pm at (850) 248-6090 or email ask@baycountyfl.gov.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 website. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling (866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.