Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Aug. 15
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Three more Manatee County residents die
Three Manatee County residents are among the 228 COVID-19 deaths reported Friday by the Florida Department of Health.
The official death toll in Manatee County now stands at 245.
Statewide, the official death toll is 9,141. The deaths of two non-residents brings the total of non-residents who have died in Florida from the disease to 135.
The three local deaths reported were that of a 72-year-old woman, 81-year-old man and an 86-year-old man. One of three lived or worked at a local long-term care facility, according to FDOH’s data.
Meanwhile, the health department reported 6,148 new positive cases in the state. A total of 563,285 have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Florida since March.
In Manatee County, there were 107 new positive cases confirmed for a total of 9,661 confirmed cases.
More COVID-19 cases at Manatee County public schools. District mum on details
The list of schools with COVID-19 cases has continued to grow before Monday, the first day of classes for Manatee County students.
As the School Board met to revise a mask policy on Friday afternoon, district spokesman Mike Barber published a news release on COVID-19 cases “reported and investigated this week.” The update was more vague than past statements from the district.
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It listed the campuses with COVID-19 exposures, but unlike past statements, it left out the number of people affected at each campus, and it was unclear if all the affected people were school employees.
According to the release, there were four new cases:
- Bayshore High — There was a confirmed case(s). There were no direct exposure(s).
- Buffalo Creek Middle — There was a confirmed case(s). There were direct exposure(s).
- Manatee Technical College — There was a confirmed case(s). There were direct exposure(s).
- Palmetto High — There was a confirmed case(s). There were direct exposure(s).
School board revises mask policy
The School Board of Manatee County approved a mask policy on Tuesday evening. The community feedback was almost instant, and the board reconvened on Friday afternoon to rethink its guidelines.
Much like the original policy, the School Board is requiring that students and employees wear a face mask — meaning cloth masks, cloth face coverings or disposable masks — in district buildings and buses. But on Friday afternoon, with a unanimous vote, the board included several “allowances” to its policy.
Read the details here.
How many Manatee County children have coronavirus?
Speaking of school starting Monday, at least 1,131 children in Manatee County as of Friday have tested positive for the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. Of those cases, 134 were diagnosed between July 31 and Aug. 14.
COVID-19 and you
Read this to gain insights on how COVID-19 has affected people in Florida just like you.
Testing locations in Manatee County
Among the places you can get tested for the novel coronavirus are:
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. Antibody testing, which requires the drawing of blood, also is available at this location.
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.