Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on April 22

The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.

Another COVID-19 death

One more resident in Manatee County has died from COVID-19, as the county continues to have the fourth-highest death toll statewide.

There have now been 34 people who have died from the disease in Manatee County. Only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have had more deaths from COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.

An additional 44 deaths were reported statewide on Tuesday, bringing Florida’s death toll to 867. Among the latest deaths were people in Broward, Dade, Escambia, Lee, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

Ten more residents in Manatee County have also tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. In all, there are 443 people who have tested positive in Manatee County — the 10th highest number of total cases among the 67 counties in Florida.

Statewide, there were 811 newly reported cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday evening. Florida’s total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak started is now at 27,869.

The percentage of those who test positive for the coronavirus in Manatee County is the third highest in the state, behind only Suwannee and Jefferson counties. Of the 2,718 people who have been tested, 16.3 percent have tested positive in Manatee County.

Manatee County also has the fourth highest count of overall COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities and deaths in those facilities. As of Tuesday morning, there were 128 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in six skilled nursing homes and two assisted living facilities.

More testing coming to Manatee

More specimen collection kits that test for COVID-19 are coming to Manatee County, which could allow officials to start another drive-thru testing site later this week, according to Public Safety Director Jake Saur.

The gift of 300 kits is being provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. State officials reached out to Saur shortly after local officials put in a call to Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton.

Even more testing will come to Manatee thanks to the Board of County Commissioners’ unanimous approval of up to $100,000 to purchase coronavirus testing kits and personal protective equipment. That money could buy as many as 2,000 kits, according to county estimates.

This surge in testing kits comes nearly two months after Manatee County’s first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. Since then, more than 2,700 people have been tested, but those numbers pale in comparison to neighboring counties.

Commissioners end nighttime curfew

A local curfew will no longer take effect every night at 11 p.m. after the Manatee Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 to remove the safety measure meant to limit the spread of COVID-19.

That Tuesday morning vote went against the recommendation of public safety officials who said the curfew order helped keep residents at home. Sheriff Rick Wells previously said that the curfew helped bring attention to the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Commissioners Stephen Jonsson, Priscilla Whisenant Trace, Vanessa Baugh and Betsy Benac voted to end the curfew. Commissioners Misty Servia, Reggie Bellamy and Carol Whitmore voted against the proposal.

The board first voted to enact the curfew on April 3. It took effect every night from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Public Safety Director Jake Saur urged commissioners to extend the curfew another seven days, citing an uptick in cases and deaths since the board’s last meeting on Friday afternoon.

“As far a peak goes, that’s exceedingly difficult. Some projections say the peak has passed, and I disagree with that,” Saur explained.

With the stay-at-home order still in effect, some commissioners argued that the local order was redundant.

“The curfew serves no purpose at all, as we know it today,” Baugh said.

Selling your house? You might reconsider

COVID-19 is being blamed for a big drop in pending residential real estate sales.

“A lot of people are afraid to go look at houses, and a lot of people don’t want their houses shown because they are concerned about the coronavirus,” said Beth Barnett, real estate associate with Coldwell Banker in Lakewood Ranch.

High school graduations postponed

Public high school graduations in Manatee County, originally scheduled between May 13 to 16, have been postponed by more than two months, a spokesman said.

The school district held its original dates until Saturday, when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida would continue online learning and keep physical campuses shuttered, said Mike Barber, the school district spokesman.

The district is now planning to hold the graduation ceremonies between July 29 and Aug. 1.

NEED A JOB? LOOK HERE

A website projects the unemployment rate in Manatee-Sarasota could hit 28 percent, as businesses shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic shed jobs.

Local business organizations are not standing pat.

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 advise that people wear face masks to avoid either contracting the virus or passing it on.

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 22, 2020 at 5:00 AM.