Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on March 25
More coronavirus cases in Manatee, Sarasota
The newest cases of COVID-19 in Florida include a 14-year-old boy from Manatee County, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The health department on Tuesday reported there was one new case in Manatee, and five new cases in Sarasota County. The new totals for the two counties are 16 and 26, respectively.
More than two and half times as many people have been tested in Sarasota as in Manatee. But Manatee officials said Tuesday there would be a drive-thru testing site in Manatee later this week.
Statewide, there were a total of 1,467 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Manatee County to close boat ramps
Starting Thursday morning, boat ramps in Manatee County will be closed to the public to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials announced at a public meeting Tuesday morning.
The announcement comes just days after county officials made the decision to close public beaches. Over the weekend, however, visitors were seen boating in tight formation near Longboat Pass.
“I cannot emphasize enough the extent to which actions taken now will save lives later,” said Public Safety Director Jake Saur. “As we move forward, additional county and city area closures are needed.”
All public boat ramps throughout the county will be closed, as of 6 a.m. Thursday morning, Saur said. The closure also includes Beer Can Island. Public beaches remain closed, as well.
Commercial fishermen who need access to a county boat ramp are asked to use the south boat ramp on Coquina Beach, which will be monitored by Beach Patrol.
Restaurants, employees adjust to COVID-19
One of the more prominent restaurant owners in Manatee County, Ed Chiles, painted a grim picture of the landscape the industry is facing because of the novel coronavirus.
“This is 10 times crazier than anything we could have thought up,” said Chiles, owner of The Sandbar, Beach House and Mar Vista restaurants, in a phone interview with the Bradenton Herald. “We’ve been through red tides that were devastating. We’ve been kissed by hurricanes, where we got away with our lives and we didn’t have the problems that other places had. We had a three-day problem or a five-day problem.
“This is red tide meets a hurricane that you’re not sure about the ending.”
A worker laid off from another restaurant was more descriptive.
“This is like a zombie apocalypse happening in front of us,” said Jason Garris.
Bradenton restaurants offering take-home and delivery services
The Bradenton Herald has published a list of restaurants offering take out and/or delivery services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Also, feel free to leave the names, addresses and phone numbers of other restaurants, either as a comment on our Facebook page or on the page for the Manatee Eats group.
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.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 4:00 AM.