Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on Sept. 30
The latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
Manatee County repeals mask mandate
Following a Friday afternoon executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Manatee County Commission voted Tuesday afternoon to get rid of its COVID-19 mask mandate.
DeSantis announced he was suspending any fines and penalties resulting from a local government’s face covering rules. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 to get rid of the mandate.
Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, Betsy Benac, Stephen Jonsson and Priscilla Whisenant Trace voted in support of ending the mandate. Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore voted against ending the mandate.
Instead, the board approved a new proclamation that “strongly encourages” wearing a mask in situations where social distancing is not possible. That motion was approved unanimously.
“I want it to be clear — just because we’re moving into Phase 3 doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear a mask,” said Benac, who wrote Tuesday’s proclamation.
Read more here.
More coronavirus infections reported in Manatee County
Florida health officials on Tuesday reported 60 new cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County, but reduced by one the total number of deaths related to the disease.
Without offering an explanation, the total number of deaths was reduced to 290.
The total number of cases in Manatee is now 11,546.
Of the 290 deaths in Manatee County, 121 have been linked back to long-term care facilities.
Those over the age of 64 have been hit the hardest by the virus, representing 77% of the deaths.
The 60 new cases reported Tuesday were from 852 test results. Manatee County’s overall positivity rate increased slightly to 10.78%, according to health officials.
Statewide, another 106 Floridians have lost their lives to COVID-19, bringing Florida’s death toll to 14,143.
The number of infections in Florida increased by 3,266 to 704,568.
Manatee School District exceeds 1,000 quarantines
While the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remained below 100 in Manatee County schools, more than 1,000 people have quarantined after being exposed to the ill students and employees.
Classes began on Aug. 17, more than one month ago, and the school district has since reported 78 cases between 36 campuses. Another 1,006 people were quarantined after being exposed to the positive cases, according to district reports.
The term “exposure” means there was close and prolonged contact with an infected person (less than six feet of separation for at least 15 minutes), and it requires the exposed student or employee to quarantine for 14 days.
The number of quarantines surpassed 1,000 on Monday afternoon, when the district reported 26 exposures at Bayshore Elementary School and seven exposures at Braden River Middle School.
Kevin Chapman, the director of strategic planning for Manatee County schools, reflected on the milestone number and the pandemic school year on Tuesday, about one week before students complete the first quarter.
About 70 percent of students returned for in-person classes last month, either part time or full time, and they were joined by thousands of district employees who returned to their classrooms and offices. In total, approximately 34,000 people returned to district buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To have less than 80 positive cases over the last six weeks is pretty successful,” Chapman said. “We obviously don’t want any positive cases, but I think when you look at the reality of what’s going on, that’s pretty good.”
Read more here.
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 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.