Coronavirus

Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 10

Herald staff report

Updated July 10, 2020 7:52 AM

The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.

Three more coronavirus deaths reported in Manatee County

Three more Manatee County residents have died from COVID-19, the Florida Department of Health said Thursday. Statewide, the death toll from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic has surpassed 4,000.

The health department said Thursday that 186 residents had tested positive. Manatee County now has 4,266 people who have been infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic got underway.

A total of 138 residents have died.

The latest local cases were among the 8,935 new cases reported across the state. In total, there have now been 232,718 people who’ve tested positive in Florida.

Statewide, the deaths of 120 more Floridians from COVID-19 were also reported on Thursday. It was the highest daily number of deaths reported since ithe start of the pandemic..

Manatee’s new back-to-school plan

Superintendent Cynthia Saunders has suggested that all Manatee County students have the option to return for the 2020-21 school year, in line with a recent state order, but families would have to request the full-time return to campus.

Likewise, students would have the option to sign up for full-time online learning. Saunders updated the school board during a workshop on Thursday evening, after Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran ordered schools to open five days per week in August.

Aldi’s employee found infected with COVID-19

A worker at a Bradenton Aldi discount supermarket has tested positive for COVID-19, a corporate spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

The Aldi worker is employed at 5715 14th Street W.

“The employee is in quarantine and on paid leave and we are doing everything we can to ensure they receive the attention they need. To respect the privacy of our employees, no further information will be shared regarding this case,” the spokesperson said in an email.

Manatee to receive $1.5 million boost for health care workers

Manatee County will receive $1.5 million to hire 12 contract tracers, 10 nurses and one epidemiologist.

Florida’s health department released details of the state’s $138 million spending plan for federal CARES Act funds Thursday, focusing primarily on public health workers needed to respond to the state’s resurging COVID-19 pandemic.

The money is earmarked for Florida’s 67 counties to hire epidemiologists, contact tracers, nurses, data clerks, health educators and others. Most counties will receive less than $1 million, although state officials said they directed the funds to the areas of the state facing the most widespread outbreak of the virus.

Help for small businesses

A new program is giving small business owners the chance to receive a grant of up to $5,000 to help safely reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers with 15 or fewer full-time employers are eligible to apply for relief money. The money is available to certain businesses throughout Manatee County, including local municipalities.

“Manatee County has been significantly impacted by COVID-19,” said Geri Lopez, director of Manatee County government’s Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Department. “We want to put the right programs in place to help our economy recover but do so in a very safe way.”

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.

The Miami Herald contributed to this story.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 7:30 AM.