‘Unexpected Employee Illness’ Backs Up Garbage Collection: County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Garbage collections are running behind in Manatee County “due to unexpected employee illnesses,” the county shared to its Facebook page.

The county stressed that all garbage will be collected this week, despite the backup. Those whose garbage isn’t picked up by 7 p.m. should pull it inside for the night and put it back out at the curb before 6 a.m. the next morning, the county said.

All collections will be completed by Saturday evening, the county said.

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Manatee County Commissioner Misty Servia said the employees don't work for the county. Rather, they work for Waste Pro and Waste Management, who the county contracts with to handle waste removal.

A spokesperson for the city didn't know whether the illnesses are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June, there was a coronavirus outbreak at the Manatee County administration building in downtown Bradenton. Six county employees tested positive for COVID-19 and two died.