Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 14
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Two more deaths, 154 more cases in Manatee County
Manatee County has another 154 cases of the coronavirus among the 12,624 new cases confirmed statewide by the Florida Department of Health on Monday.. It is the second-highest daily count of new cases statewide.
There are now 5,266 residents who have tested positve for the coronavirus in Manatee County. Statewide, there are now 282,435 who have tested positive.
The deaths of two more Manatee County residents because of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, were also announced Monday morning.
Manatee County’s death toll now stands at 140, while the state’s official death toll stands at 4,277. An additional 104 non-residents have also died in Florida from COVID-19.
Manatee County School Board to vote on reopening plans
The School Board of Manatee County will vote on reopening plans during a meeting on Tuesday evening, two days after Florida made national headlines for a record number of daily COVID-19 cases.
The Florida Department of Health reported 15,300 new infections on Sunday, surpassing New York, the previous record holder, by thousands of cases. And as of last Friday, 468 children — or 43.7 percent of those screened — tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County.
Tuesday’s meeting on reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. In-person board meetings are still closed to the public as a precaution against COVID-19.
The meetings are broadcast on Spectrum Channel 646 and Frontier Channel 39, along with www.mstv.us. To submit a public comment, email public_comment@manateeschools.net. To contact individual board members, visit manateeschools.net, navigate to the “District” tab and click on “School Board.”
“I think, like most educators, I want to be back in the classroom,” said Kristina Rosenbaum, a local middle school teacher. “I do this for a living because I’m passionate about what I do. There’s nothing I love more than working with students.”
“That being said, I’m scared to death to go back into the classroom,” she continued. “I have many friends who work in the health care industry, who make no bones about how severely this disease affects people.”
Read more here.
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.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 7:30 AM.