June 11th Update

Good Evening,

Dooly Total Numbers Are:  189
Total Deaths:  12

This will most likely be my last update for a while. We will continue to see our numbers rise because COVID 19 has not went away BUT it has steadied greatly. We do have an outbreak at the Dooly County Prison and that is showing in our numbers as well. As far as community spread, that is down at this moment. I do fully expect a sharp increase this fall and winter. I do encourage each and every one of you to get your flu shots and pneumonia shots (if eligible for the pneumonia vaccine) . I also strongly encourage you to continue to use your best judgement while out in public, planning parties, and going to crowded events. A lot of the reasons our numbers are steading is due to people actually taking precautions. There are enough people doing what they should be doing and it is helping. The governor has opened up the state a lot more as of June 16th. I encourage each of you to look at the executive order so you all will know what has been lifted. Rhonda is very good at sending out those from the chamber and as soon as I get an official copy I will forward it out as well.
We will continue testing for COVID 19 every day from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm. Like I said, COVID hasn’t left.  We are also opening back up our clinic for regular visits. It will be different but we are seeing patients now and scheduling for all services.
I have seen a lot of loss, a great deal of critical cases, and families mourning loved ones without ever getting to say goodbye. This virus was no hoax. It was not fake news, and it was not a whole lot of nothing. You ask the family and friends of those 12 people in Dooly County and I promise you they will tell you very quickly how real this virus has been. As a nurse, this has been one of the hardest things I have ever been a part of.  Families were not allowed to sit with those they love, hold their hands, speak those last words to them if they chose to do so. Doctor’s and Nurses had to relocate their families or themselves  so not to expose them to something that could potentially take their lives. This was not something we have ever had to deal with.  The nursing homes and the families of those living in nursing homes have still not been able to see their loved ones without glass between them. So please don’t tell me that this was not real or this was just a whole lot of nothing. Everything I have done and said was to keep as many people safe and healthy as I could. I pushed out the information as it was pushed out to me. It changed a lot because the virus was NEW. They had to learn as they went. I know at times it was confusing and frustrating. Believe me, I was frustrated many times myself but I had to continue to learn and educate myself on what was best for our community and what kept us safe. I will continue to do that. I will also continue to communicate any new information or developments with you all. I am always here if you need me.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and God Bless,

County Nurse Manager

Dooly County Health Department

204 West Union Street

Vienna, Ga. 31092

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