Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 8
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Three more deaths reported in Manatee County
Three more Manatee County residents have died from COVID-19 and they all lived or worked in a long-term care facility in the county.
The new deaths, as well as 105 new cases, were reported in the latest data released by the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday . Across the state, 7,347 new cases were reported.
The death toll in Manatee County now stands at 135.
Statewide, there 63 new deaths reported from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The state’s official death now stands at 3,841.
A total of 3,890 people total have been infected with the virus in Manatee County since the start of the pandemic. Statewide, there have been 213,794 people infected.
Skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities now account for 90 of the COVID-19 deaths in Manatee County. They now account for 502, or about 13%, of the county’s total cases.
The overall percent positive of cases continues to climb as new cases surge. In Manatee County, that rate is now 8.2%, while statewide, the rate is 9.4%.
More alarmingly to experts and local officials across the state has been the daily positive rate for new cases. In Manatee County. The positive rate for the test results released on Tuesday was 17.9%.
Statewide, Tuesday’s news cases had a record 20.8% positive rate.
State throws a wrinkle into Manatee Schools’ reopening plan
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has ordered public schools in the state to reopen their campuses for the 2020-21 school. year.
What that means for the Manatee County School District has not been settled, and perhaps has been made more confusing by Corcoran’s order. The school board is meeting later this week to start making some decisions.
Read the details here.
More Publix workers in Bradenton test positive for COVID-19
Two more Publix associates in the Bradenton area have tested positive for COVID-19, the Lakeland-based supermarket chain confirmed this week.
“We can confirm that we have an associate who works at store No. 1152, 11245 North US 301, Parrish, and store No. 828, 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota, that have tested positive for COVID-19,” a spokesperson said in an email.
Another Publix associate, at the Lockwood Commons supermarket, 4240 53rd Ave. E., tested positive for COVID-19, a company spokeswoman confirmed last Thursday.
Due to patient confidentiality, there is little information on the cases, and associates are worried, one Publix employee told the Herald.
“The testing and reporting of cases by health departments varies widely state-by-state. As a result, we cannot fully and accurately report cases in real time, but we have been, and will continue to be, keenly focused on intensive, ongoing protective measures in all our stores. Those efforts are conducted with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local and state health departments,” the Publix spokesperson wrote.
Palmetto police officers test positive for the coronavirus
The Palmetto Police Department is the latest local agency to report its first cases of COVID-19 among its ranks, with two officers testing positive, according to Chief of Police Scott Tyler.
At the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the number of cases has doubled in a week. A total of 18 deputies and civilian employees are now infected with the virus, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Randy Warren.
As cases again surged in Florida, the sheriff’s office and the Bradenton Police Department each confirmed having new cases within their departments. A Bradenton police detective has since returned to work while a dispatcher is still quarantined with the coronavirus.
Until now, the Palmetto Police Department had not reported any positive cases. The Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key police departments have not reported any cases.
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.