Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on June 22
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County
More than 100 new cases in Manatee County
An additional 104 cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County were among nearly 3,500 new cases reported around the state on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Manatee County’s cumulative number of positive cases since testing for the coronavirus began stands at 1,890. The death toll remained at 126 on Sunday.
The rate at which people are testing positive for the virus in Manatee County increased to 5.9 percent on Sunday. It was the third day in a row that the local test positive rate increased. The statewide test positivity rate, now at 6.1 percent, has also risen over the past week.
The number of reported cases at long-term care facilities in Manatee County remained at 461, or 25 percent of the county’s total cases. Of 126 COVID-19-related deaths in the county, 85 were among residents and staff of the facilities, according to the state health department.
The number of cumulative reported cases in Florida now stands at 97,291 as of Sunday morning.
Should you wear a mask out in public?
That’s a big yes, says the Florida Department of Health.
Free COVID-19 testing available here
A reminder that free COVID-19 testing continues at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including:
A drive-thru site near The Mall at University Town Center, in the parking lot east of Dillard’s, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until the site reaches 750 tests for the day).
A walk-up site at Home Depot, 2350 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until the site reaches 100 tests for the day).
A walk-up site at Lincoln Park, 501 17th St. E., Palmetto, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or until the site reaches 200 tests for the day).
Food pantries in Manatee County
As COVID-19 has ravaged Manatee County and employers have shedded jobs, food security has become a bigger issue for many residents.
Manatee County government this week released a list of food pantries in the county where residents can obtain free food and other assistance.
Read it here.
NEED A JOB? LOOK HERE
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.
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.
This story was originally published June 22, 2020 at 7:52 AM.