Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on March 22
Here’s the latest on the COVID-19 epidemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
New cases in Manatee, Sarasota
The Florida Department of Health reported that there were nine new confirmed COVID-19 cases in our area: Three in Manatee and six in Sarasota.
That brings the totals in the two counties to 13 and 14, respectively. Statewide on Saturday, there had been a total of 763 cases, according to the health department.
More than three times as many people have been tested in Sarasota County than in Manatee: 318 vs 101.
Among the Sarasota cases reported this week were physicians at Doctors Hospital and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Isolation shelters?
As Florida’s confirmed coronavirus cases climbed toward 800 on Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he’s considering his most drastic move yet: Moving certain people at risk to isolation shelters.
DeSantis said his administration might put those who test positive for COVID-19 or show symptoms of the disease in shelters, such as abandoned convention centers or hotels, to prevent them from returning home and infecting those they live with.
It would be a dramatic change in strategy toward combating the spread of coronavirus, which has killed a dozen people in Florida.
It also would have Florida following an example set by China.
“What China started figuring out was, as much as you can believe them, people would get infected, you would send them home and they’d infect the people in their house,” DeSantis said Saturday. “Don’t go back home with your family, because the people you’re most likely to infect are those very close persistent contacts.”
DeSantis said he’s asked agencies to explore the use of such sites. Hotels have also offered their rooms and spaces to the government, he said.
DeSantis did not say when he would implement the plan.
School district says it will be ready for online learning
The School District of Manatee County said it was doing everything possible to launch online learning on March 30, but challenges remained on Friday.
Schoology, an online service, will allow teachers to assign tasks, grade assignments and communicate with students while schools are closed through April 15, a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Cynthia Saunders and other district administrators presented the system to reporters on Friday morning.
“A teacher is able to tape and video her entire lesson and present it to the entire class, as well as to individuals,” Saunders said. “The great thing about that is, at the end of the day, a parent with a child could review that lesson over and over again.”
The bigger challenge may be ensuring all students have the technology they need to learn from home.
“It’s not just us, it’s a national situation, and I do believe Manatee County is in a better spot than many,” Saunders said.
Tips to protect yourself from coronavirus
There’s no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, and experts say one may be months away from mass production.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
The CDC does not advise that healthy people wear face masks, but says they should be worn by coronavirus patients to help avoid spreading the illness.
The latest closings and cancellations
Numerous businesses and organizations in Bradenton have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For a list of closings, cancellations and postponements, check out our list.
The Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau contributed to this story.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 5:16 AM.