COVID-19 Cases Increase Tenfold In Manatee County Within 1 Month

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The number of new COVID-19 cases in Manatee County is more than 10 times what it was just a month ago, according to date from the Florida Department of Health.

From July 23-29, 1,552 new coronavirus cases were reported in the county, as well as a new case positivity rate of 17.5 percent, according to the COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report.

Just 139 cases were reported in Manatee County four weeks earlier, for the week of June 25 to July 1, according to the state DOH report for that week. The positivity rate was also much lower that week at 3.9 percent.

Manatee County is seeing a high level of community transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID data tracker.

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The county saw 1,547 new cases from July 26 to Aug. 1, according to CDC data. The county also recorded a 19.86 percent positivity week during this period.

That’s a 56.1 percent increase in new cases from the prior week and a 3.38 percent change in the positivity rate based on CDC data.

The CDC said the county had 98 COVID-19 hospitalizations from July 26 to Aug. 1. That’s also a 78.18 percent change from the week before.

This surge in cases is happening statewide thanks to the virus’ more contagious delta variant.

From July 23-29, Florida reported more than 110,477 new cases from July 23-29 and an 18.1 percent new case positivity rate, according to the state DOH.

The state also recorded more than 400 coronavirus deaths during this week.

A month earlier, just 15,978 new cases were reported statewide from June 25 to July 1 with a new case positivity rate of 5.2 percent.

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And things are likely only going to get worse, according to a COVID-19 map and forecast tool from the Mayo Clinic.

By Aug. 14, the tool projects that Manatee County could see, on average, 447 new cases each day. The projected range of daily cases is 196 to 1,031.

Where to Get Tested in Manatee County

If you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, here’s where you can get tested in Manatee County.

The Palmetto Bus Station at 1802 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto offers free testing Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing includes PCR and rapid testing. This site is a partnership between the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Call 941-242-6646 for more information.

Select pharmacies and other health care facilities in Manatee County also offer testing including:

• CVS
• Ellenton Urgent Care
• MCR Health
• Quest Diagnostics
• Walgreens

The test is also available through some private physician’s practices.

Where to Get Vaccinated in Manatee County

The CDC and other health care leaders urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As of July 29, nearly 211,000 people in Manatee County — or 59 percent of the eligible population — have been vaccinated.

Here’s where you can get the vaccine in Manatee County.

The Palmetto Bus Station site at 1802 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto is offering the Moderna vaccine.

Select pharmacies and other health care facilities in Manatee County also offer testing including:

• CVS
• Publix
• Sam’s Club
• Walgreens
• Walmart
• Winn-Dixie

The vaccine is also available through some private physician’s practices.