Call (941) 242-6649 before contacting, visiting health care providers
Contact: Christopher Tittel, Communications Director Christopher.Tittel@FLHealth.gov (305) 924-6839
Bradenton, Fla. – The Manatee Health Department has set up the Manatee Health Line, a phone number that residents are asked to call first if they believe they may have coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following persons to be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19:
• Anyone showing symptoms of the disease, including fever, cough and shortness of breath;
• Anyone who has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19; and
• Anyone who has recently traveled from a country or area with widespread or ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Manatee residents who believe they may have COVID-19 are asked to call the Manatee Health Line before visiting health care providers.
The Manatee Health Line number is (941) 242-6649. Subject-matter experts are on duty 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
The Department of Health runs a hotline that anyone who believes they may have coronavirus can call, as well. The number is (866) 779-6121 and operates 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday thru Friday.
Subject-matter experts will interview callers to determine whether they are at risk for having COVID-19, based on travel history, contact with confirmed cases and other factors.
“Calling the health department ahead of time allows us to coordinate with the health care system to assure appropriate infection control measures in our community,” Manatee Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie said. “It also meets the guidelines laid out in Section 3 of the statewide Declaration of Public Health Emergency issued on March 1.”
The Department of Health (DOH) routinely updates case counts, prevention tips, worldwide developments, reputable links and more at its COVID-19 web page: www.flhealth.gov/covid-19 .
Any questions that the web page cannot answer can be phoned into the State Health Office
hotline (866-779-6121) or emailed to covid-19@health.gov .
Manatee Health continues to encourage the public to exercise prevention tips:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow (not your hands) if a tissue is not
available
• Try not to touch your face with unwashed hands
• Frequently clean and disinfect touched surfaces
• Don’t touch or shake hands with people who are sick
• Stay home when you’re sick and keep your children home when they’re sick
Manatee Health continues to work with local partners – hospitals, clinics, government, schools,
businesses, emergency management, law enforcement, tourist development and more — to
shape messaging and address specific concerns.
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About the Florida Department of Health
The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to
protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county
and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida
Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
