COVID-19 made its way onto more Manatee County campuses in the second week of school

Half a dozen Manatee County schools have reported new COVID-19 cases over the past several days.

District spokesman Mike Barber provided the update on Friday afternoon, responding to an inquiry from the Bradenton Herald. The list included two cases reported by the newspaper earlier this week (at Manatee High and Gullett Elementary), along with five cases that were previously unreported.

Two of the cases were at the same school. Palma Sola Elementary School, 6806 Fifth Ave. NW in Bradenton, reported “a case of COVID-19” and “direct exposures” to the infected person. The school sent its first notification to parents on Tuesday, and one day later, it reported “another case of COVID-19” and more exposures.

Palmetto Elementary School, 1540 10th St. W., reported “a case of COVID-19.” In its message to parents and employees on Tuesday, the school said there were no direct exposures to the infected person.

Samoset Elementary School, 3300 19th St. E. in Bradenton, reported “a couple of cases of COVID-19” in a message to families on Wednesday. There were “direct exposures” to the infected people, it continued.

There was also “a case of COVID-19” and direct exposures at Palmetto High School, 1200 17th St. W., according to the message sent to families on Thursday.

Barber said there were no reported cases on Friday. Barber also confirmed that he would no longer provide a weekly update of cases on Friday afternoons, a brief practice by the district. He said the district was now handling daily reports “just like public records requests.”

“If you want a daily update, it must be requested,” Barber said in an email.

At least 18 Manatee County schools have reported COVID-19 cases since the start of school on Aug. 17:

• Ballard Elementary School.
• Tara Elementary School.
• Willis Elementary School.
• Moody Elementary School.
• Bayshore Elementary School.
• Blackburn Elementary School.
• Gullett Elementary School.
• Palma Sola Elementary School (two reports).
• Palmetto Elementary School (no reported exposures).
• Samoset Elementary School.
• W.D. Sugg Middle School (no reported exposures).
• Parrish Community High School.
• Manatee High School (two reports).
• Palmetto High School
• Manatee Technical College (Main Campus).
• Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication.
• Lincoln Memorial Academy.
• Manatee School For the Arts (no reported exposures).

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. While the district tracks the number of cases and exposures in schools, it has stopped providing that data, making it difficult to know the full impact of COVID-19 on local campuses.

“The district has initiated a District Operations Center (DOC) located at the School Support Center which is staffed with district and health department personnel,” Barber said in a prepared statement. “The DOC assists in collecting, coordinating and responding to reported incidents of COVID-19 throughout the district.”

Recent notices said that infected and exposed people were sent home. Portions of each campus were treated with a “special disinfectant,” and the schools also assured families that mask requirements and symptom checks were in effect.

“Most importantly, if a student or staff member feels sick, believes they have symptoms or has had a test for COVID-19, please stay home until you are symptom free or you receive a negative test result,” the messages concluded.

This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 6:03 PM.