Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Aug. 25
More COVID-19 cases reported in Manatee County
An additional 39 Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health on Monday. They were among 2,258 new cases confirmed statewide.
It was the lowest number of new cases reported since June 15, when 1,758 new cases were logged. Testing for the coronavirus has slowed significantly around the state in recent weeks, which Gov. Ron DeSantis has attributed to fewer people going to get tested.
The state health department also reported another 72 COVID-19-related deaths among Florida residents on Monday. The state death toll from the pandemic now stands at 10,397 Florida residents and 137 non-residents.
In Manatee, there have been a total of 10,209 confirmed coronavirus infections, including 248 deaths.
Two more Manatee school campuses report COVID-19 ‘exposures’
Two more schools have reported COVID-19 cases and exposures in Manatee County.
In an update on Monday afternoon, district spokesman Mike Barber provided a copy of the notifications sent to employees and families of Manatee High School and Lincoln Memorial Academy.
Manatee High had “a couple of cases of COVID-19” and “direct exposures” to the infected people, according to a notification dated Aug. 22.
A similar message, dated Aug. 21, said that Lincoln Memorial Academy had “a case of COVID-19” and “direct exposures” to the infected person.
The term “direct exposure” describes close and prolonged contact with an infected person, meaning less than six feet of separation for at least 15 minutes. The definition is used by Manatee schools and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Judge rules in favor of teachers opposed to school reopening. Don’t expect changes in Manatee
Manatee County schools reopened their doors to thousands of students last week. That was unlikely to change after a judge granted a temporary injunction against the state’s order to reopen brick-and-mortar schools on Monday afternoon.
According to Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, the order issued by state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran was unconstitutional because it “arbitrarily disregards safety.” The Leon County judge also said the order hindered local school boards from making their own decisions about reopening, and that it tied vital funding to their plans.
“This order will, however, pass constitutional muster if its unconstitutional portions are severed,” the judge wrote. “And it would still require local school districts to provide a high-quality education, under the circumstances — the circumstances being this horrible pandemic.”
Florida Education Association, the statewide teacher’s union, filed a lawsuit against Corcoran, Gov. Ron DeSantis and several others. On Monday, the judge granted FEA’s request for a temporary injunction against the reopening order.
On the first day of school in Manatee County, approximately 48 percent of students were expected to make a full return to the classroom, while 23 percent were enrolled in the hybrid schedule, a mix of in-person and online classes. In total, about 71 percent of students were expected to be on campus, whether it be full time or part time, throughout the week.
District spokesman Mike Barber said Manatee schools had no plans of retracting those on-campus options as of Monday afternoon.
“Right now, we’re just studying exactly what the ramifications of the ruling are,” Barber said. “Unless we get directives from the state, as of right now, we have no plans to change what’s being done.”
Read more here.
Nurses union files complaint against two local hospitals over COVID-19 working conditions
Two local hospitals have been named in a federal complaint urging HCA Healthcare to provide better COVID-19 protections for staff members.
National Nurses United, a national union that represents registered nurses at Blake Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, are among 17 HCA facilities that are putting healthcare works “in imminent danger of serious physical harm or even death,” according to a complaint filed with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration Monday morning.
“Since the onset of this pandemic, our focus has been to protect our colleagues — to keep them safe and keep them employed — so they can best care for our patients,” said Debra McKell, director of marketing at HCA West Florida Division. “Our frontline caregivers have shown unwavering commitment, and our safety efforts to protect them have included screening and testing, universal masking, contact tracing and notification and other safeguards, in line with guidance from the CDC.”
“Meanwhile, the NNU has chosen to use this pandemic as an opportunity to gain publicity by attacking hospitals across the country,” she added.
According to a press release, union nurses are asking for a federal court injunction that orders HCA to resolve COVID-19 concerns by notifying workers who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and allowing asymptomatic staff to stay home.
COVID-19 takes bite out of airport’s bottom line
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport revenues could be down as much as 50 percent in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But because the airport is debt-free, has nearly $20 million in reserves, and $17 million of CARES money, SRQ is poised to ride out the downturn better than most airports.
Passenger traffic came to a virtual standstill in April at airports across the country. SRQ received $23 million in federal money under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act earlier this year to help it through the economic downturn.
Members of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority got their first briefing on the proposed budget Monday, which projects a rare $1.3 million deficit on projected revenues of $15.2 million.
“To say this year is unique is a gross understatement. These are unparalleled times. The tremendous growth experienced in the prior two and one-half years came to a screeching halt in April as the COVID-19 pandemic hit,” said Rick Piccolo, airport CEO and president.
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 25, 2020 at 5:30 AM.