Friday, March 27 Update

Message from Mayor Kelly Girtz - March 27

A message from Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz with some updates on local responses from ACCGov, including a new information line at 706-613-3333, a Spanish version of the ACCGov coronavirus website, and some information tools for community use.

Mayor Girtz also includes information about the upcoming Mayor and Commission Work Session on Tuesday, March 31 to begin discussing local relief package options. Watch the video online on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Wo_mf98mBsY or search for accgov on the YouTube app on mobile or TV devices.

34 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County, 2 Deaths

The state Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) case tracker (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 33 positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Athens-Clarke County with two deaths as of 6:27 p.m. on March 27.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick.

Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and congregate living settings for older people must strictly follow COVID-19 prevention measures to stop rapid spread of the virus.

ACCGov Operations (March 23-28)

All Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) departments and offices will continue to operate under a modified closed workstations model the week of March 23-28.

Many non-emergency staff will telecommute remotely during the week in order to answer questions and provide services remotely over the phone or online. Other staff will work in shifts on alternating days and maintain social distancing. In most offices, residents will be able to speak with staff directly even though offices are closed.

Residents are encouraged to call departments and offices - a list of phone numbers is available through www.accgov.com/directory - or visit department webpages at www.accgov.com instead of visiting ACCGov offices to see if services or information will be unavailable and which services will be provided online and over the phone.

Solid Waste

• The Landfill will be closed on Saturday, March 28 and reopen on Monday, March 30.

Georgia Department of Public Health: Volunteer for COVID-19 Response

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is receiving offers from medical professionals and other individuals looking for ways to help with the COVID-19 response. An effective response relies on volunteers who are pre-credentialed and organized. 

Georgia Responds is Georgia’s health and medical volunteer program that matches the skills and credentials of medical and non-medical volunteers to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia.

Medical volunteers may be used to answer medical questions coming into the COVID-19 hotline or assist at test specimen collection sites. Non-medical volunteers may be used in administrative roles at either the call-center or test collection sites, or provide interpretation or other skills as needed.

To volunteer, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/georgia-responds and click on the “Register Now” box. Registering only takes a few minutes. 

Prospective volunteers will be asked for their name, address, contact information and occupation type. 

In order to be eligible for some assignments, responders are encouraged to complete a profile summary, which includes skills and certifications, training, medical history, emergency contact and deployment preferences. Once your skills and credentials are reviewed, you will be notified by a DPH representative.

Information Sources

The response to COVID-19 involves both rapid and extensive changes and also deliberate measures that take some time to consider.

Once official information is released from the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Northeast Georgia Health District, the State of Georgia government, or other local partners, we will report it on www.accgov.com/coronavirus and social media.

Additionally, this COVID-19 update newsletter will go out at least daily with new information primarily about the ACCGov response and plans. It may also include some local area information of note as space allows.