Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 13
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County
A record day for Manatee and Florida
The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections surged again on Sunday as the Florida Department of Health reported record-breaking new case numbers both in Manatee County and across the state.
In Manatee County, 480 new cases were reported. It is by far the highest single-day record of new cases since the coronavirus pandemic began. Manatee’s cumulative case count now stands at 5,112, including 138 deaths.
Statewide, 15,386 new positive cases were recorded. That compares to a previous record of 11,458 new cases reported on July 4. The next highest daily number occurred on Friday when the state health department recorded 11,433 new cases.
The total number of infections reported in Florida is now 269,811, and the statewide death toll is 4,346.
Childhood COVID-19 cases continue to climb
An additional 136 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 468 children have tested positive for the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 respiratory disease. A week earlier, 332 people 17 and younger had tested positive, according to the health department.
A total of 1,070 children have been tested in Manatee since the start of the pandemic, for a positivity rate of 43.7%, up from 35.7%, a week earlier.
Statewide, a total of 17,073 children have been infected with the coronavirus, or 24.2% of those tested. In Florida, 6.7% of those who have tested positive are children.
Four 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.
DeSantis, Galvano push for schools to reopen
During a news conference in Bradenton on Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis renewed his call for schools to reopen next month — but he seemed to leave open, if only slightly, the possibility of letting local school boards and parents have a say.
Speaking at Blake Medical Center, DeSantis said Florida became the model for a lot of other states when it came to distance learning this past spring, but, “As proud of that as we are, there’s an achievement gap that has been developed. That will only be exacerbated. We know there are huge, huge costs for not providing the availability for in-person schooling.”
Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said local school boards would have to follow an order from Education Commission Richard Corcoran mandating that schools be open five days a week when the 2020-21 school year opens.
School boards “cannot ignore this order,” Galvano said.
The Manatee School Board could vote on a proposed reopening plan on Tuesday.
Read more here.
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.