MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – Masks will be optional inside the Manatee County Administration building when it reopens Monday after a COVID-19 outbreak forced it to close this week.
The building closed to the public Friday afternoon after five COVID-19 cases broke out on the floor of the IT department.
Of those five, four people were hospitalized and two died. County Administrator, Scott Hopes says those affected were not vaccinated.
In a message to employees today, Hopes said, “Individual employees in the IT Department who were known to be fully vaccinated and who were in close proximity of those who were infected did not contract COVID-19.”
The building, located at 1112 Manatee Avenue West is expected to reopen Monday, June 21st, at 8:00 a.m., and COVID-19 safety protocols will resume, including optional masking.
“It’s been a really sad week, we lost two people who were our friends,” Manatee County Commissioner of District 4, Misty Servia said. “These are people we saw every day. If I had a problem with my computer, I picked up the phone and they would come down and help me. So these people were fine last week and they died this week. All I can say is please, if you have not been vaccinated, take the time and get vaccinated because it will save your life.”
The County will continue to provide N95 or equivalent masks for non-vaccinated visitors and employees who want to use them when in County buildings.
Manatee County will offer another COVID-19 vaccine clinic for employees in the County Administration Building on Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m.