July 21st Update

The number of reported cases in the West Central Health District is 6,833.  The number of deaths from the virus currently stands at 216.

 

County             Cases    Deaths        County        Cases   Deaths

Chattahoochee 504 1 Quitman 25 1
Clay 67 2 Randolph 228 26
Crisp 340 13 Schley 31 1
Dooly 226 14 Stewart 234 4
Harris 522 14 Sumter 675 53
Macon 151 10 Talbot 107 3
Marion 114 3 Taylor 54 2
Muscogee 3520 67 Webster 35 2

 

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

 

The West Central Health District has established 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. The District also has a COVID-19 Call Center; 706-321-6300, Option 1.

 

Testing is now done by appointment only.  Visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com to select a time and location for testing.  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.  A negative test does not mean your quarantine period is over.  You must remain quarantined for the full 14 days.

 

Specimen collection 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.  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

Monday by appt. only

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, Thursday Friday 8:30 am to 10:30 am 478-472-8121
Marion

Buena Vista

Monday and Wednesday 8:00 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

Every other Monday

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Monday by appt. only

229-838-4859
Sumter

Americus

Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 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

Columbus Health Department

2100 Comer Ave

Columbus, GA 31904

706-321-6265

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