August 17 Update

The cumulative number of reported cases in the West Central Health District is 9,480.  The number of cases in the last two weeks is 1,244.  The number of deaths from the virus currently stands at 280.

 

                                                                                       Cases in                                                                 Cases in

                                                                  the last                                                                    the last

        County                       Cases         2 wks.    Deaths      County           Cases       2 wks.   Deaths

Chattahoochee   810   135    2 Quitman 32       2   1
Clay   103     16    2 Randolph 287     23 26
Crisp   416     55 15 Schley   79     25   1
Dooly   264     24 14 Stewart 275     23 10
Harris   688     61 17 Sumter 789     78 56
Macon   189     14 10 Talbot 147     19   5
Marion   162     15    5 Taylor 107     35   4
Muscogee 5092   715 110 Webster   40       4   2

 

For more information, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report.

 

The West Central Health District has established a COVID-19 Call Center, 706-321-6300, Option 1. The District also has a toll-free number for COVID-19 information, 1-855-962-0955.  After the recording, callers may leave a message which will be returned within 24 hours.

 

Anyone wishing to be tested should register by visiting  www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com   or calling 706-321-6300, Option 1.  All persons to be tested must be Georgia residents, but they do not have to be symptomatic. Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

 

Fever                                              Chills                                                  Headache

Cough                                             Nausea                                              Diarrhea

Muscle Pain                                    Sore Throat                                       Congestion or runny nose

Shortness of Breath                        Repeated Shaking with Chills           New Loss of Taste or Smell

 

Elderly individuals and those with chronic medical conditions have increased risk for COVID-19.

 

When to get tested:

If a person has been exposed (in close contact for more than 15 minutes) to someone who tested positive for Covid-19, but does not have symptoms, that person should remain in quarantine for 14 days, and wait at least 10 days to be tested.  If a person is symptomatic, or symptoms begin before day 10, then that person should be tested at that time.  Please note that even if your test results are negative, you still must remain in quarantine for the entire 14 days.
  

Testing is held Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, in the parking lot behind the former Columbus Health Department, on 11th Avenue and Center Street.  Saturday, August 22nd, testing will be from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.  There is no charge for testing at any location.  Due to the number of individuals to be tested, wait times may vary at all locations.

 

     Other County Health Departments offer drive-thru collection, *weather permitting*:  

 

 

Chattahoochee Cusseta Tuesday and Thursday

Every other Monday

10:00 am to 12:00 pm 706-989-3663
Clay

Fort Gaines

Wednesday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 229-768-2355
Crisp- off site-

J.R Dowdy Building, 1129 N 5th Street, Cordele

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 

8:30 am to 11:00 am 229-276-2680
Dooly

Vienna

Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm 229-268-4725
Harris

Hamilton

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 am to 11:30 am 706-628-5037
Macon

Oglethorpe

Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 am to 10:30 am 478-472-8121
Marion

Buena Vista

Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 229-649-5664
Quitman

Georgetown

Tuesday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 229-334-3697
Randolph

Cuthbert

Monday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 229-732-2414
Schley

Ellaville

Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am to 11:00 am 229-937-2208
Stewart

Lumpkin

Wednesday and Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 229-838-4859
Sumter

Americus

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 am to 11:00 am 229-924-3637
Talbot

Talbotton

Monday and Wednesday 8:30 am to 11:00 am 706-786-6410
Taylor

Butler

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 11:00 am 478-862-5628
Webster

Preston

Monday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm 229-828-3225

 

 

Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center if you have been exposed to someone with the virus, and if you have symptoms.

 

We urge all individuals to practice these prevention measures:

 

  • Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you go to a store, office, or public place.
  • Remember social distancing: six feet between you and the person closest to you.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

 

For more information, people may call our COVID-19 call center at 706-321-6300, or visit  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html  or www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com.

 

 

 

###

 

Pamela Kirkland

Public Relations/Information Coordinator

West Central Health District

2100 Comer Avenue

Columbus, Georgia 31904

706-321-6265

 

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