Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on March 27

Coronavirus update for Manatee, Sarasota

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County was adjusted down from 26 cases to 24 cases on Thursday morning, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health.

No explanation was given for the reduction in the number of cases in Manatee.

Meanwhile, the number of infections across Florida continued to spike as an additional 378 cases were confirmed, bringing the statewide total to 2,355.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sarasota County, where many more people have been tested than in Manatee, rose to 34 as of Thursday morning, an addition of two cases since Wednesday.

Drive-thru testing in Palmetto

Fifty Manatee County residents were tested for COVID-19 at a drive-thru facility in Palmetto run by the Florida Department of Health.

An addition 50 people with appointments and a doctor’s order will tested each day, Friday through Sunday.

The program, which launched Thursday morning, serves to dramatically increase the number of Manatee patients with access to a test to check for COVID-19. Since the beginning of March, only 198 patients have been tested in Manatee County, as of Thursday morning. That pales in comparison to Sarasota County, where 447 had been tested.

“We’re in uncharted territory, so as we go on, there’s lessons to learn and improve,” said Public Safety Director Jake Saur.

Health officials in Sarasota are planning to launch a similar drive-thru testing program Friday morning, according to a news release.

The Department of Health in Sarasota County is partnering with Sarasota County government and Sarasota Memorial Hospital to collect specimens from potential coronavirus patients at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.

Just like Manatee’s implementation, the testing requires a doctor’s prescription, an appointment and proof of Sarasota County residence. The site will be open from 8 a.m. to noon, and should run through the weekend.

Manatee tourism projected to take a big hit

Manatee County tops the 10 tourism-driven regions in the United States that will see the steepest percentage drop in gross domestic product during April, May and June, the second quarter of the year, according to StratoDem Analytics.

Manatee is expected to see a 28 percent decline, and take a hit of $993 million.

“On a more human level, that’s approximately $5,700 of lost GDP per household for Q2, primarily due to fewer people generating economic output at work,” said StratoDem’s James Chung in an email.

Sarasota County is forecast to experience a 25 percent decline in GDP, totaling $1.3 billion, according to StratoDem, which is based in Cambridge, Mass.

Manatee County closes park

Manatee County is shuttering one park and limiting access to part of Emerson Point Preserve because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rose Park, a small park located at 714 Palma Sola Blvd., is being closed “to ensure public health safety and social distancing,” according to county officials.

“Other county parks and preserves remain open. County leaders continue to stress the importance of social distancing across the community.”

At Emerson Point in Palmetto, the county said it was closing off vehicle access to the sandy beach area at the western edge of the preserve. Other county beaches have been closed since last week.

Other county parks and preserves remain open.

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 27, 2020 at 4:00 AM.