Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Sept. 16
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Official COVID-19 death toll in Manatee drops by 1
Another 40 Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday. They were among 3,116 new cases confirmed statewide.
The state health department also adjusted Manatee County’s COVID-19-related death toll down by one from 275 to 274 on Tuesday.
“As epidemiological investigations progress, new information regarding cases is often uncovered and is immediately integrated into our reports,” the health department said of the change. “This includes past cases.”
The health department also gave an example of a situation that might prompt an adjustment in case or death numbers.
“While we are unable to comment regarding specific cases, it is possible that a positive case or a COVID-19 related death has been identified as a resident of a different community,” a spokesman said via email.
Florida’s death toll from COVID-19 increased on Tuesday as the health department reported 145 new resident deaths and one non-resident death. Since the outbreak began, 12,787 Florida residents and 159 non-residents have died, according to health department data.
The cumulative total of COVID-19 infections statewide now stands at 668,846. Florida’s overall positivity rate of tests decreased slightly on Tuesday from 13.45% to 13.44%.
Manatee County’s cumulative case total rose to 10,972 on Tuesday. To date, more than 101,000 tests have been administered in Manatee, with an overall positivity rate of 10.8%.
Officials say COVID-19 outbreaks at 3 churches in Manatee County
At least three churches in Manatee County have been linked to COVID-19 outbreaks, according to the county’s top health official.
Speaking with the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday morning, Dr. Jennifer Bencie, with the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, confirmed the recent cases after the county’s recent removal of mask requirements in houses of worship.
“In terms of those religious institutions that no longer have masks, we have seen three already with outbreaks,” Bencie told the board.
Reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, a DOH-Manatee spokesman declined to provide information about which churches are currently part of an infection outbreak investigation, citing Florida Statute 381.0031.
“Florida statute prevents disclosure of specific information related to epidemiological investigations,” said Christopher Tittel, DOH-Manatee’s communications director.
The statute refers to keeping epidemiological reports confidential. They are made public “only when necessary to public health.”
Read more here.
More COVID-19 reported at Manatee County schools
The School District of Manatee County has added another COVID-19 case to its public dashboard, while the Bradenton Herald verified a handful of cases that fell outside of the district’s reporting criteria.
Palmetto Elementary School, 1540 10th St. W., was recently added to Manatee’s dashboard. A school employee tested positive for COVID-19 and exposed three others, but according to the message received by families on Sunday evening, none of the exposures happened on campus.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the district had recorded 55 cases at 29 traditional schools since the start of classes on Aug. 17. Another 787 people were exposed to the positive cases, according to the dashboard, which is located at www.manateeschools.net.
The Bradenton Herald also verified two cases at Team Success, a public charter school in Bradenton, after obtaining a copy of the voicemails left on a parent’s phone. The date of each case was unclear, and the school’s chief executive officer, Armando Viota, has not responded to multiple phone calls and emails.
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 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.
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 September 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.