Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on July 22
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Five more COVID-19 deaths in Manatee County
Five Manatee County residents are among the latest 134 deaths from COVID-19 confirmed by the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday.
In Manatee County, a total of 149 residents have now died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the health department. Statewide, the official toll now stands at 5,206. The deaths of two more non-residents was also announced, raising the tally of those deaths to 113.
Manatee County had 133 new positive coronavirus cases on Tuesday morning, out of 9,440 new cases reported in the state by the health department.
A total of 6,871 cases have been confirmed in Manatee County since the pandemic got underway. Across Florida, a total of 369,834 cases have been confirmed.
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.
High school football season postponed in Manatee
Manatee County’s high school football season won’t start on time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The county made the announcement Tuesday, a day after the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors voted to keep the fall sports calendar intact, but give school districts the option of starting at a later date.
Football was supposed to begin with practices on Monday, July 27, but the Manatee County School District said it will start on a date to be determined later.
“We want to give kids an opportunity to play, period,” said Manatee County Athletic Director Jason Montgomery. “And two, the important part about slowing down right now and pushing things back a little bit is we want to get this right. The last thing we want to do is to start and then have to shut down again.”
Manatee officials planned to discuss possible options with other school districts stretching from Tampa Bay to the Orlando area.
Palmetto rejects mask sign proposal
The Palmetto City Commission voted not to pass an emergency ordinance Monday regarding mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would have required businesses within the city to post signs promoting face coverings indoors.
After much discussion, commissioners did agree to re-consider the idea at a meeting on Aug. 3.
Read more here.
Free masks are available in Manatee County
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.