Monday, April 27 Update

Message from Mayor Girtz - April 27, 2020

Watch a new message from Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz with some updates on local responses from ACCGov, details on the virtual Community Conversation on Wed., April 29 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. with members of the business community, information about organizations interested in applying for funding for providing indigent services, and encouragement to follow the resolution recently passed by the Mayor and Commission.

The video is available through the link on the image above and

on YouTube (www.youtube.com/accgov or directly at https://youtu.be/FFyvsq80aG8)
the YouTube app on mobile devices or TV systems by searching for 'accgov';
on Facebook (www.facebook.com/accgov);
on Twitter (www.twitter.com/accgov)
on Instagram via IGTV (www.instagram.com/accgov)
on ACTV cable channel 180.

CDC Adds Six COVID-19 Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the series of possible coronavirus COVID-19 symptoms.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus (the italicized ones are the new symptoms added):

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, even mild symptoms, contact a location noted below to consult a medical professional and possibly get tested.

Stopping by instead of calling? Not Right Now

Ways to Get Screening for Testing

Use the free Augusta University Health COVID-19 Virtual Screening anytime 24/7

If you have a primary care provider, you can call your doctor, who can either perform the test or refer you for testing.

If you do not have a primary care provider:

You can call the Northeast Health District’s hotline for testing: 706-340-0996. The hotline is answered 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
If you do not have transportation or have other barriers to care, you can call the Athens Free Clinic mobile unit Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: 706-308-4092.
You can call a local urgent care center or federally qualified health center.

140 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County, 13 Deaths, 28 Hospitalizations

The state Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) case tracker (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 140 positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Athens-Clarke County with 13 deaths and 28 hospitalizations as of 6:25 p.m. on April 27.

The case tracker has recently been updated to a new format and provides additional county-level information, including the number of cases per 100,000 people (107.88 for Athens-Clarke County)

The 13 deaths range in age from 60-98. 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.

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 most days with new information primarily about the ACCGov response and plans. It may also include some local area information of note as space allows.