Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on April 24
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Five more deaths in Manatee County
Five more COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Manatee County, raising the death toll to 39.
Only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have had more COVID-19 deaths than Manatee among Florida’s 67 counties. The next highest death tolls are in Sarasota and Lee counties with 32 deaths each and Orange County with 29 deaths.
In all, there have been 473 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County, as of Thursday evening.
Nursing home hot spots
Between the Braden River Rehabilitation Center and the Riviera Palms Rehabilitation Center, 141 people residents and staff have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. According to a spokeswoman, 23 of them have died.
A spokeswoman announced Thursday morning that 27 current patients and 28 staff members at Riviera Palms were positive. Twelve have died. At Braden River, 37 current residents and 26 staff had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Eleven have died.
The spokeswoman did not explain whether the death toll included any staff members.
Here’s more about the situation at nursing homes, in Manatee and across the state.
More testing coming to Manatee
Information about upcoming opportunities to get tested for COVID-19 are available here and here.
Wear your masks, health department says
Manatee County health officials are urging all residents to wear cloth face coverings in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The advice follows a nationwide recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was issued at the start of April.
“Homemade face coverings can prevent spread of COVID-19 to others,” the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County said in a press release on Thursday.
Wearing a face covering is especially important in circumstances where social distancing is hard to maintain, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Palmetto company rejects loan
Palmetto-based It Works! announced on Thursday it has decided not to close on an approved loan of $2.7 million from the Small Business Administration.
It Works! had been approved to receive money through the federal government’s SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program.
The company, with fewer than 500 employees, had applied for the loan as it transitioned its employees in the U.S. from working in the office to working from their homes.
“We decided to give the small businesses that are in greater need the opportunity to receive these funds,” said founder and CEO Mark B. Pentecost. “It Works! continues to grow during this time and we don’t want to take the money from those who need it to survive and thrive.”
How bad was COVID-19 on cruise ships?
The Miami Herald has found that at least 2,592 people have tested positive for COVID-19 during or directly after a cruise and at least 65 people have died.
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 Miami Herald contributed to this report.