Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on June 25
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
More than 100 new cases in Manatee
Manatee County suffered another large spike in new COVID-19 cases, according to the Florida Department of Health on Wednesday morning. Florida also recorded a single-day record of 5,508 news cases.
The Health Department on Wednesday reported 119 new cases, raising the county’s total to 2,132 since Manatee County reported its first case on March 1. It was the second-highest daily count for Manatee, just under the 137 recorded on Saturday.
Statewide, the total case count stands at 109,014. The previous daily high was 4,049, recorded on Saturday.
Florida’s death toll rose to 3,281.
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).
Manatee County Commission rejects mask mandate — again
Some Manatee County Commissioners on Wednesday surprised the public with an attempt to require residents to wear masks inside of local businesses amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Commissioners on Tuesday told the public they would likely support language to “recommend” that residents wear face coverings along the same lines as the June 20 recommendation from the Florida Surgeon General’s Office.
Instead, Wednesday’s meeting opened up with a motion from Commissioner Misty Servia to direct staff to create an ordinance that would require residents to wear a mask inside businesses where social distancing is not possible.
The motion was backed by commissioners Carol Whitmore and Reggie Bellamy, but failed to gain further traction.
“I went to work thinking we could trust the commissioners on what would be voted on,” said resident Michelle Martin. “Imagine my surprise in finding you trying to mandate masks. .... (Y)ou are being reactive instead of leading. No one even knows this was on the table. You don’t think this would be this empty if people knew?”
Bradenton police employees test positive
Two members of the Bradenton Police Department have tested positive for the coronavirus.
A detective and a dispatcherhave tested positive, according to police spokesman Capt. Brian Thiers.
New venue for high school graduations
The School District of Manatee County has booked a new venue for its 2020 high school graduations, as cases of COVID-19 continue to climb in Florida.
During a school board meeting on Tuesday evening, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders said most graduation ceremonies would take place at LECOM Park, home of the Bradenton Marauders and spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The district switched its venue from the Bradenton Area Convention Center, but the dates in late July and early August would remain, Saunders said. While announcing the change, she cited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the need for social distancing.
“They have seats that are numbered, so we can easily give tickets out to parents, where they can cluster families together,” Saunders said.
“It still has covered areas so you’re not all out in the sun,” she continued. “We’re going to work out the protocols of how we bring in the graduates.”
Graduations were originally scheduled for dates in mid-May. However, shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that school campuses would remain closed, the district postponed its ceremonies by more than two months.
Seafood restaurants stay open after employees test positive
John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, confirmed Wednesday that two of his staff have tested positive for COVID-19, and are now recovering at home.
The cases are linked to the AMOB locations at 6696 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, and 1525 51st Ave. E., Ellenton.
“It wasn’t question of if, but when,” Horne said of a staff member testing positive for COVID-19.
Horne said all of his restaurants are remaining open because of social distancing, stringent, deep-cleaning sanitation practices and employee health checks.
“Every one of our staff is in masks and wearing gloves. We bang a gong every 30 minutes and that is a signal for everyone to wash their hands,” he said.
When staff members report for work they have their temperature taken and are asked if they have a fever, aches, a cough, or shortness of breath. If any of those red flags appear, they are sent home. If any staff member has a positive test for COVID-19 they do not reenter the restaurant until they are fully recovered, he said.
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 25, 2020 at 6:15 AM.