Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Aug. 21
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Manatee County nears 10,000 coronavirus infections
There were 73 new coronavirus infections confirmed in Manatee County, as the numbers of Floridans who have died from the virus surpasses 10,000.
Manatee County has reported a total of just under 10,000 coronavirus infections.
The Florida Department of Health announced the deaths of 117 residents across the state from COVID-19 in the latest data released on Thursday morning. A total of 10,049 residents have died from the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The deaths of two non-residents were also reported. There have 137 non-residents die from COVID-19 in Florida.
No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Manatee County, where the death toll of residents who have died from the disease stands at 247.
With the latest cases announced, Manatee County has had a total of 9,997 coronavirus infections since the pandemic got underway.
More COVID-19 exposures in schools
At least five Manatee County schools have now reported COVID-19 cases and campus exposures after the return of students on Monday.
Tara Elementary School had “a couple” cases of COVID-19, according to the message received by parents on Wednesday evening. The message, signed by Principal Laura Campbell, said there were also “direct exposures” to the infected person.
Manatee Technical College also had a confirmed COVID-19 case on its main campus, 6305 State Road 70 E. in Bradenton. There were “direct exposures” to the infected person, according to an email received by employees on Wednesday.
Read more here.
Manatee School Board member Scott Hopes defends school reopening order
Manatee County school board member Scott Hopes made a case for reopening schools during a virtual court hearing on Thursday afternoon.
The hearing was a continuation of Florida Education Association’s lawsuit against several defendants, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Richard Corcoran, the state’s education commissioner. The union is hoping to curb a state order that required schools to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hopes, one of five school board members in Manatee County, appeared as a witness for the state, defending Corcoran’s order and praising the state’s education commissioner.
“The initial reaction when I read the first paragraph was a little bit of shock,” Hopes said. “Commissioner Corcoran is a great friend of mine. Then I stood back and I read the entire document. I read it twice. And really, I’ve got to say, I found it to be artistic and brilliant at the same time.”
The order required schools to reopen and offer in-person classes “at least five days per week.” Hopes said the order was valuable to families who wanted their children to learn in person, and that Corcoran’s order allowed districts to offer multiple options.
In Manatee County, students were given the option to return five days a week, to continue with full-time online learning or to enroll in a hybrid schedule, rotating between in-person and online classes.
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 21, 2020 at 5:30 AM.