Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 6
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County
162 new cases reported in Manatee County
Another 162 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Manatee County, according to the Florida Department of Health. They were among the 10,059 new cases reported statewide on Sunday, bringing the state’s total count to more than 200,000.
It was the third-highest daily count reported in Florida since the start of the pandemic.
The state has seen record levels of new cases in recent weeks coupled with residents testing positive for the virus at higher rates. On Saturday, the health department reported a record-breaking addition of 11,445 new cases statewide and 288 new cases in Manatee County.
Florida’s overall positivity rate since the coronavirus outbreak began is now 9.1 percent. The number has jumped by percentage points over the last weeks as people test positive for the virus at much higher rates. Among the most recent batch of nearly 70,000 statewide test results reported Sunday, the positivity rate was 17 percent.
A total of 29 new deaths in Florida were reported on Sunday. Only one new COVID-19-related death was reported in Manatee County over the past week. The local death toll since the outbreak began stands at 131 residents, or 3.5 percent of currently reported cases.
More than 330 kids in Manatee have tested positive
An additional 133 children in Manatee County have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In a report dated Friday, the health department said a total of 332 children have tested positive for the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 respiratory disease. A week earlier, 199 people 17 and younger had tested positive, according to the health department.
A total of 929 children have been tested in Manatee since the start of the pandemic, for a positivity rate of 35.7%, more than 10 percentage points higher than a week earlier.
By comparison, the county’s overall positivity rate as of Saturday was 8%. The county has a total of 3,716 cases, as of Sunday.
Statewide, a total of 11,515 children have been infected with the coronavirus, or 24.2% of those tested.
Three children have died.
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 uses all of its test equipment 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 uses all of its test equipment 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 uses all of its test equipment 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 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.