Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Aug. 19
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Two more COVID-19 deaths in Manatee
Two more Manatee County residents have died from COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The two new deaths bring the county’s death toll to 247.
The health department also reported 48 new coronavirus infections in Manatee, raising the total count to 9,891.
Florida added 3,922 new cases and 219 new deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 579,932 infections reported in Florida, including 9,758 deaths.
Bradenton private school may have violated mask mandate
Manatee County code enforcement is looking into a potential violation of the county’s mask mandate at Inspiration Academy after photos and video were posted on Facebook showing students at the private school sitting or dancing closely together — many not wearing masks — during a “welcome back assembly.”
Last month, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners enacted a resolution mandating that masks be worn inside all business establishments when social distancing of more than six feet was not possible.
Schools and religious institutions are not exempt.
The private school’s seven-page-long re-opening plan, which is posted on the homepage of the school’s website, contradicts that county mandate.
“As a community, we have allowed each family, faculty, and staff to decide for themselves whether to wear a mask or not. We respect the opinion of all our stakeholders and want to ensure everyone is comfortable with their choices. Inspiration Academy does recommend the wearing of a face mask as recommended by the CDC guidelines,” the plan states.
Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur confirmed that the county was aware of the situation and that officials were looking into it.
Read more here.
Bradenton church sparks COVID-19 concerns with youth event
A youth event that drew nearly 650 students to Bayside Community Church’s East Bradenton Campus on Friday is raising COVID-19 concerns on social media.
Despite safety measures put in place for the gathering, many who attended did not adhere to Manatee County’s mask mandate or other universally recommended guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Church staff allowed students to decide whether to use masks or socially distance while inside.
In photos and video of the event posted online, teens can be seen crowded in front of a stage for live music, some of them maskless. Other shots show youth posing for photos in close proximity to one another and without face coverings.
The free event, which was advertised to include activities, prize giveaways and group worship, was open to middle and high school aged kids, including the church’s congregations in Manatee, Sarasota and Hardee counties.
With in-person classes resuming this week, many community members are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 and its potential impacts on students, teachers and their family members.
Some of them took to social media to share concerns about the Bayside event and its apparent lack of strictly enforced safety measures.
After a flood of negative comments, photos of the event posted to a Bayside Church Instagram account were removed.
Read more here.
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.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 5:30 AM.