Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on June 23
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
COVID-19 cases in Manatee near 2,000
Eighty-seven more patients tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County on Monday, according to the latest information from the Florida Department of Health.
A total of 1,977 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Manatee. The county’s death toll from the virus remains at 126.
Monday’s test result also represents a milestone in Florida as the number of statewide positive results broke the 100,000 mark. More than 2,900 new cases were reported, bringing the state’s total to 100,217.
Coronavirus shuts down 2 restaurants
Two Manatee County restaurants have temporarily closed their doors after staff members tested positive for COVID-19, even after taking all the safety precautions recommended by public health officials.
Both the Sea Hut, 5611 U.S. 19, Palmetto, and the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, are closed until further notice, both companies recently announced via social media.
Read more here.
County health director says wear your masks
Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County’s health officer, joined in on a virtual town hall meeting hosted by the Manatee Community Foundation on Monday to share some public safety advice. As the state of Florida surpassed 100,000 confirmed positive cases, Bencie said everyone should be wearing a mask.
“It’s really important that everyone understands that the transmission could be dramatically reduced when they have masks on,” said Bencie, stressing the need to wear a mask or face covering to reduce the spread of COVID-19. “No one is immune to it and we all have to protect one another. Masks are the best way to do that, in addition to hand-washing, social distancing, etc.”
Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued a public health advisory Saturday urging all residents to wear a face covering in almost every setting, especially where social distancing isn’t possible.
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).
‘Mega pantry’ moves to new location
A weekly drive-thru “mega pantry” operated by Feeding Tampa Bay in Manatee County will continue to offer free meals to those in need throughout the month of June.
This week, the event will move to a new location at DeSoto Square mall, 303 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. The giveaways were formerly held at State College of Florida’s Bradenton campus.
All that is needed is a vehicle to receive boxes of food, organizers say. Volunteers load the boxes into the trunk of the car for a contactless delivery.
“The impact of COVID-19 has been significant,” Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay told the Bradenton Herald last month. “The idea today is to get a family of two or three through three or four days and take some pressure off the family budget.”
Manatee County government has 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 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.