Which Manatee County schools had new COVID-19 cases last week? Here’s a full list
Three more schools have reported COVID-19 cases in Manatee County, bringing the number of confirmed cases in public schools — both traditional and charter — to at least 71 since the start of classes.
Palma Sola Elementary School, 6806 Fifth Ave. NW in Bradenton, reported its third case since classes began on Aug. 17. According to the school district’s update on Thursday afternoon, one student tested positive for COVID-19 and exposed 16 others.
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. District guidance requires exposed employees and students to quarantine for 14 days.
While the school district publishes case numbers, exposure data and the affected schools on its website, it only includes information on traditional campuses. Public charter schools report directly to the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.
Aside from sending notices to families, it seems none of the local charter schools have made their case data publicly available. However, in response to questions from the Bradenton Herald, a handful of schools provided copies of their COVID-19 notices.
Manatee School For the Arts, 700 Haben Blvd.. Palmetto, sent a message to families on Friday. The school discovered an infected person who had “limited exposure to distinct portions” of the campus.
“These areas will be closed for the next 2-5 days for intensive cleaning and disinfecting,” the message continues. “The remainder of the campus will continue to go through cleaning and disinfecting measures regularly.”
Rowlett Middle Academy, 400 30th Ave. W., Bradenton, reported its first case in a message to families on Wednesday. There were no direct exposures to the case, according to Rowlett’s notice.
As of Friday morning, there were at least eight cases discovered at five charter schools. Notices were sent to families on the following dates:
Manatee School For the Arts: two cases, Sep. 18 and Aug. 24.
Rowlett Middle: one case, Sep. 16.
Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication: two cases, Sep. 8 and Aug. 18
Parrish Charter Academy: one case, Sep. 3.
Team Success: two cases, Sep. 1 and Sep. 8
Another 63 cases were discovered at 30 of Manatee’s traditional schools, resulting in a total of 866 exposures since the start of classes. Updates went out on the following dates:
Abel Elementary: 18 exposures and two positive employees between reports on Sep. 8 and Sep. 15.
Ballard Elementary: 29 exposures, one positive student and one positive employee between reports on Aug. 18 and Aug. 31.
Bashaw Elementary: 25 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Sep. 9.
Bayshore Elementary: three people quarantined after exposure to one employee, Aug. 20.
Blackburn Elementary: 12 people quarantined after exposure to two students, Aug. 24.
Braden River High: 18 exposures and three positive students between reports on Sep. 4, Sep. 9 and Sep. 16.
Braden River Middle: 17 exposures, one positive employee and three positive students between reports on Sep. 2, Sep. 8 and Sep. 10.
Gullett Elementary: 16 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Aug. 25.
Harvey Elementary: 100 exposures, one positive employee and three positive students between reports on Sep. 2, Sep. 8 and Sep. 15.
Johnson K-8: Ten people quarantined after exposure to one student, Sep. 11.
Lakewood Ranch High: 23 people quarantined after exposure to one employee, Aug. 31.
Lee Middle: two people quarantined after exposure to one employee, Sep. 4.
Lincoln Memorial Academy: 27 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Aug. 21.
Manatee High: 75 exposures, three positive students and two positive employees between reports on Aug. 21, Aug. 25, Sep. 2 and Sep. 15.
Manatee Technical College, all campuses: nine people quarantined after exposure to five employees, Aug. 19.
Mills Elementary: 14 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Sep. 3.
Moody Elementary: 32 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Aug. 21.
Nolan Middle: 45 exposures, one positive student and one positive employee between reports on Aug. 31 and Sep. 1.
Palma Sola Elementary: 38 exposures, one positive employee and two positive students between reports on Aug. 25, Aug. 26 and Sep. 17.
Palmetto Elementary: five exposures, one positive student and one positive employee between reports on Aug. 25 and Sep. 14.
Palmetto High: 149 exposures and two positive employees between reports on Aug. 27 and Aug. 31.
Parrish Community High: 13 exposures and three positive students between reports on Aug. 18, Sep. 8 and Sep. 16.
Prine Elementary: three people quarantined after exposure to one student, Sep. 8.
Samoset Elementary: 38 people quarantined after exposure to two students, Aug. 26.
Southeast High: 31 exposures, one positive student and two positive employees between reports on Sep. 4, Sep. 8 and Sep. 15.
Sugg Middle: no exposures to one positive student, Aug. 20.
Tara Elementary: 15 exposures and three positive students between reports on Aug. 19 and Sep. 11.
Williams Elementary: 73 exposures, two positive employees and one positive student between reports on Aug. 18, Aug. 31 and Sep. 4.
Willis Elementary: eight people quarantined after exposure to one student, Aug. 21.
Witt Elementary: 18 people quarantined after exposure to one student, Sep. 16.
“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 are cleared to return to school,” Palma Sola Elementary said in its notice.
“Please note that we continue to take mitigation measures at our school including taking temperatures, wearing masks, asking symptom-related questions or all students and staff daily, limiting access to our campus and cleaning and sanitizing daily.”
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 2:05 PM.