Ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution planned for every Friday until further notice

STAFF REPORT ::: The next phased rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, with vaccines provided only to those with scheduled appointments. The vaccination effort is being provided by District 4 of the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Spalding County Health Department and the […]

Kemp: Georgia COVID-19 testing soon to increase to estimated 3,000 tests daily

STAFF REPORT ::: Testing for COVID-19 in Georgia will soon significantly ramp up. According to a press release issued by Governor Brian Kemp announced a laboratory surge capacity plan to quickly increase the availability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This initiative leverages the collective laboratory resources under the University System of Georgia, the Georgia […]

Spalding County has first confirmed case of COVID-19

STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting Spalding County now has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. There are 26 confirmed cases in Georgia Department of Public Health District 4, which includes Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties. Health officials are taking measures […]

COVID-19 testing must be prioritized, medical resources conserved, Georgia officials say

STAFF REPORT ::: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the state of Georgia, questions abound regarding testing for this newest strain of coronavirus. Today, a joint statement about the prioritization of testing was released by Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the […]

State officials confirm two additional COVID-19 Georgia deaths

STAFF REPORT ::: The Department of Health has confirmed two additional deaths from COVID-19 in Georgia. The two include a 42-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, both of whom died in an Albany hospital. In addition to COVID-19, each had existing medical conditions. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart […]

Governor Kemp to declare Georgia’s first ever public health emergency

STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp has announced his intention to declare a public health emergency beginning Saturday morning. In a statement released Friday afternoon, Kemp stated, “Based on President Trump’s emergency declaration, I will declare a public health emergency for the state of Georgia beginning tomorrow morning. This declaration will greatly assist health and […]

Governor: COVID-19 quarantine facility under construction in Monroe County

STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health have announced that a COVID-19 quarantine facility is under construction on the Georgia Public Safety Training Center campus in Monroe County. Officials say this area is for persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to self-isolate. This quarantine facility will […]

Fayette County COVID-19 case count now at five

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: There are now six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the 12-counties served by District 4 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. Those six cases include five in Fayette County and one in Coweta County. The District 4 region includes Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup […]

Officials confirm first Georgia COVID-19 death; urge at-risk groups to prepare

STAFF REPORT ::: Officials have confirmed the first COVID-19 death in Georgia. According to a press release from the office of Governor Brian Kemp, the individual was a 67-year-old man who had been hospitalized in WellStar Kennestone Hospital since testing positive on March 7. In addition to the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus, the patient also […]

Georgia reports 31 confirmed, presumed positive COVID-19 cases in 12 counties

STAFF REPORT ::: There are now 31 confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in 12 Georgia counties. The Georgia Department of Public Health is awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on three new presumed positive cases including two Dekalb County residents and one Lowndes County resident. All three are hospitalized […]

Two Gordon State College students quarantined after possible exposure to COVID-19

STAFF REPORT ::: Two Gordon State College students may have been exposed to COVID-19 at an off-campus work location. The Georgia Department of Public Health is expediting testing on the students to determine if they have acquired the viral infection. According to a statement from GSC President Kirk A. Nooks, the students are currently quarantined […]

Department of Public Health awaiting confirmation on new COVID-19 cases

STAFF REPORT ::: Five more Georgia residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in testing conducted by the Department of Public Health Laboratory. Those results are considered presumptive positives and have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. These five latest cases involve one resident each from Charlton and Fulton counties […]

First COVID-19 patient moved to state isolation camp in state park

STAFF REPORT ::: The COVID-19 Isolation Camp established in Hard Labor Creek State Park is now in use with a patient from Cherokee County. According to a statement released by Governor Brian Kemp, this action was taken as a precautionary measure “in accordance with the state’s strategic plan to prepare for any and all scenarios […]

Kemp: Fayette County has presumptive positive COVID-19 patient

STAFF REPORT ::: A Piedmont Fayette Hospital patient has tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 and officials are awaiting confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Fayette patient is among five new presumptive positive results. Those include one each in Cobb and Gwinnett counties and two in Dekalb County. These individuals are […]

Isolation camp for COVID-19 being established in Georgia state park

STAFF REPORT ::: Georgia officials have identified Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan County as a location for the isolation and monitoring of people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. According to a press release issued by the office of Governor Brian Kemp, he along with the Departments of Public Health, Public Safety […]