More than 1,000 kids in Manatee County have tested positive for coronavirus, state says

More than 1,000 children in Manatee County have tested positive for the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March, according to the Florida Department of Health.

In a report dated Friday, the health department said 1,042 Manatee County residents between the the ages of 0 and 17 had tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease.

A total of 7,534 Manatee County children had been tested as of Friday, with 13.8% testing positive. The overall positivity rate for Manatee County was 10.9%, as of Friday, according to the health department.

In Sarasota County, 461, or 10.3% of the 4,470 children tested, have been found to be infected with the coronavirus. The overall positivity rate in Sarasota County on Friday was listed at 8.4%.

In Florida, 40,348, or 15% of the 268,321 children tested, were positive. The statewide positivity rate on Friday was 13.2%.

Seven Florida children have died from COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.