Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on April 8

The latest on the coronavirus in Bradenton and Manatee County.

More deaths in Manatee County

the Florida Department of Health , according to the latest data from including four people who have died since Monday morning.on Tuesday evening. The death toll from the disease in Manatee County now stands at seven, reopened Tuesday after being shut down for four days after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

A total of 14,747 people in Florida have tested positive for the new coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. There were 1,118 new cases between Monday evening and Tuesday evening.

In Manatee County, there were 19 new cases, making for a total of 164 residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus. In Sarasota County, there were 14 more people among the latest cases, bringing the county’s total to 173.

Statewide, a total of 42 more deaths due to the disease were confirmed on Tuesday. The death toll in Florida now stands at 296 people, including seven people in Manatee and seven people in Sarasota County.

Thousands skip online school in Manatee County

The majority of Manatee County students took part in the first week of online learning, but thousands more have yet to log on.

Out of 44,378 public school students in pre-K through high school, about 89 percent logged on to Schoology, the digital learning platform, throughout last week, according to district spokesman Mike Barber.

A total of 4,901 students never logged on, missing the entire first week of online classes.

Large employer reopens after worker falls ill

but thousands more have yet to log on, one of the Bradenton-Sarasota area’s largest employers,Sun Hydraulics

“We are pleased to announce that all three Sarasota facilities are fully operational today, April 7, after a shutdown on April 3 following the notification that one of our colleagues had tested positive for COVID-19. The shutdown allowed for deep cleaning, including electrostatic disinfection, to prepare for our colleagues’ safe return to work. During this shutdown, thermal imaging equipment was installed at the entrance to each facility to ensure the health of all employees as they return to work,” the company announced on its website.

The company, located at 1500 West University Parkway, has about 750 employees, and is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds that control force, speed and motion as components in fluid power systems.

“All colleagues who can work from home are doing so to ensure we meet the needs of our customers, partners and suppliers while reducing the risk to our Sarasota work force who cannot work from home. Our production facilities in Germany, the U.K., Korea and China remain open and operational, and we will continue to monitor the health of all our colleagues to keep them safe and to minimize any impact to our customers,” the statement concluded.

Judge refuses to force DeSantis to close beaches

Saying he lacked the authority to second-guess Gov. Ron DeSantis, a circuit judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the governor to close beaches throughout Florida.

Santa Rosa Beach lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder filed the lawsuit against DeSantis late last month, arguing that the governor’s refusal to issue a statewide mandate shutting down beaches puts Floridians at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

But, siding with DeSantis while expressing empathy for Uhlfelder, Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll said the state Constitution gives the governor discretion about handling emergencies.

Several local governments, including Manatee County, have ordered public beaches within their jurisdictions to close. But that has not stopped people from going to the beach.

Golf, anyone?

Yes, you can still play in Manatee County. The governor even says it’s an essential activity.

But be sure to keep your social distance.

Need a job? Look here

Business organizations in Manatee and Sarasota counties reported they have joined forces to connect displaced workers with employers.

Employers can post jobs while workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic can search for them at jobfocus.com, a service hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

Also, here is a link to more information about applying for unemployment benefits in Florida.

Organizations offering help

Resources are available to help struggling Manatee County residents through the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities also exist to support local relief efforts, which are facing a sudden and overwhelming demand.

With all schools closed through May 1, area students might struggle to find their daily lunch, and parents may need child care while they continue working. Other residents are losing work hours or jobs with the restrictions placed on restaurants and bars.

Here is a list of some of the organizations offering help.

Need help paying rent or utility bills? Check out the groups listed here.

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 the 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 April 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.