Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on June 26
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
70 new cases, one new death in Manatee County
Seventy more people in Manatee County have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and one more resident has died, the Florida Department of Health said Thursday. Statewide, more than 5,000 positive tests were reported for the second day in a row.
There are now 2,202 people in Manatee County who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, including 128 who have died. Eighty of the deaths have been patients in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The first case in Manatee was reported March 1.
Statewide, Florida suffered another near record day with 5,004 new cases and 46 more deaths. The only day with more cases was Wednesday, when 5,508 positive test results were reported.
There have now been 114,018 positive cases in Florida, including 3,327 who have died.
Holmes Beach commissioners vote to require masks
Holmes Beach commissioners have voted 5-0 to require face coverings in businesses and public buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Anna Maria Island city is the first municipality in Manatee County to establish a mask mandate.
The Manatee County Commission has repeatedly declined to do so over the past week, differing from neighboring counties of Pinellas and Hillsborough that issued ordinances. Manatee County commissioners have instead discussed issuing guidelines recommending the use of masks.
The Holmes Beach emergency ordinance goes into effect at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It requires people to wear face coverings, defined as any material that covers the nose and mouth, inside of businesses and public buildings, excluding schools. The rule applies to owners, managers and employees as well as customers. It can be enforced by code compliance and law enforcement officers with fines.
First-time violators will be subject to a $250 fine, according to the ordinance, which increases to $500 for each subsequent offense.
Read more about the ordinance here.
School board hears proposed reopening plans
During a long-awaited school board meeting on Thursday morning, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders recommended that elementary students make a full return in the 2020-21 school year, and that secondary schools use a “hybrid model.”
After campuses were closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, elementary-age children struggled the most with online learning, as did their parents, the superintendent said. With a full return to school, she said, K-5 students could focus on their education and their social-emotional health, while parents could return to work.
Thursday’s meeting was purely for discussion, and board members are expected to reach a final decision in the coming weeks.
“Even when the board decides how we should proceed, it could change,” Saunders cautioned. “There’s a lot of time between now and Aug. 10, and there’s a lot of school year in front of us, but we’re going to make the very best decisions we can.”
Read more here.
Three Sarasota police officers test positive
Three Sarasota police officers have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Sarasota Police Department announced Thursday.
All three are patrol officers and are the first cases the department has had. They are each currently at home under quarantine, according to the department.
“COVID-19 protocols remain in place at the Sarasota Police Department. Chief Bernadette DiPino is encouraging all citizens to wear masks in public, social distance and wash their hands,” the department’s statement to news outlets said. “These actions could prevent citizens and Sarasota Police officers from contracting COVID-19.”
The department will not provide additional details, including when the officers were last on duty, first started showing symptoms or tested positive for the virus.
In Manatee County, two members of the Bradenton Police Department and five members of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office have recently tested positive.
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).
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 26, 2020 at 6:15 AM.