Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on April 27
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
More than 500 cases in Manatee County
Another 11 people in Manatee County were among 689 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed statewide on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Florida has now had 31,528 confirmed cases of the disease, including 508 in Manatee County.
An additional 19 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in Florida, bringing the state’s total deaths to 1,074 since the outbreak started.
The death toll remained at 42 in Manatee County.
People in Manatee County continue to test positive for the virus at a higher rate than people in surrounding counties and the state as a whole. The test positivity rate was 15.3 percent in Manatee as of Sunday morning, compared to 9.1 percent statewide.
More testing coming to Manatee
Information about upcoming opportunities to get tested for COVID-19 are available here and here.
Bradenton patient benefits from experiment
A Bradenton man with COVID-19 was about to be placed on a ventilator, when his doctor gave him a transfusion of plasma donated by someone who had previously recovered from an infection.
“Within 24 hours, that patient was sitting up and alert without any distress,” internal medicine specialist Dr. Satnam Singh said. “The improvement was so dramatic that it seems like there’s a glimmer of hope that we’ll be able to save some people.”
Read more 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.
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.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 5:00 AM.