Please see below for today’s update from our district. I will shine some sunshine on this and say we have seen complete recovery in 2 of our outbreak areas, one being the nursing home. Please join me in prayer that we can get the other areas in that category as well. We have had to reopen a few outbreaks that were recovered due to new cases but these places were already well prepared and they responded quickly. I believe I do have the best community partners in Georgia. I hear stories from other counties and I thank God for blessing me with you all daily. I may get frustrated at times because I want us all safe and well but I appreciate you all more than you know. The healthcare partners in Dooly County respond quickly and as a team to see about our community and I am so blessed with that as well. Combined we can see to the needs of our residents.
There will be changes for our testing soon. We have gone to appointment only and we will be changing our days and times but don’t worry, we will still be able to offer free testing to those who need to be tested. I will let you all know as soon as we have confirmed our changes. I will say that it is very important to call our office or go to www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com to preregister. It makes everything go so much smoother and quicker. If you send a message just to me, I am very likely to forget with all that I have going on. Please call the office at 229-268-4725 Option 2 and schedule an appointment. We will get you tested if you call that morning. After lunch it is too hot guys so please try to call in the mornings.
As always, I am here if you need anything. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me through email or phone. I will respond as soon as possible.
Subject: 7/27 Press Release COVID-19 Update
The number of reported cases in the West Central Health District is 7,365. The number of deaths from the virus currently stands at 229.
County Cases Deaths County Cases Deaths
| Chattahoochee | 509 | 1 | Quitman | 25 | 1 |
| Clay | 69 | 2 | Randolph | 235 | 26 |
| Crisp | 348 | 14 | Schley | 45 | 1 |
| Dooly | 231 | 14 | Stewart | 239 | 5 |
| Harris | 567 | 14 | Sumter | 698 | 55 |
| Macon | 161 | 10 | Talbot | 121 | 3 |
| Marion | 126 | 4 | Taylor | 62 | 2 |
| Muscogee | 3893 | 75 | Webster | 36 | 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.
Anyone wishing to be tested must 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. 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. Saturday, July 25th, 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
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 and Thursday | 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