NO COVID-19 Cases in Statesboro or Bulloch County
Earlier today, there was a FAKE Twitter post that circulated around social media claiming there was a positive case of COVID-19 at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
We have confirmed with a spokesperson at EGRMC. If there is a suspected case, EGRMC and DPH do have protocols in place for testing for and treating COVID-19. They have NO reason to believe that anyone in our area has the virus at this point.
GSU Spring Break Travel
Georgia Southern University encouraged anyone traveling for Spring Break to stay up-to-date with current travel alerts from the U.S. State Department and the CDC. Currently, both organizations are recommending that people should avoid nonessential travel to any country designated by CDC as a Warning Level 3.
Real Time Updates on COVID-19 Cases
Click here to go to view a live update of Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE
FIVE Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed ALL in North Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed FIVE cases of COVID-19 ALL in NORTH Georgia. Additionally, CDC testing has confirmed the presumptive positive test for COVID-19 in a resident of Floyd County which would be the 6th. The original testing was done by GPHL March 5.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) and are regularly coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There is now community (person to person) spread in other countries outside of China. There are ongoing investigations to learn more about the virus, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent the spread of disease.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may resemble the common cold or seasonal flu, which is a far greater risk this time of year.
The best way to prevent infection with any respiratory virus is to use the same preventative strategies used during a normal cold and flu season:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds – use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Get a flu shot! A flu shot won’t protect against COVID-19, but if you do get the flu, your symptoms will be less severe, easing the burden on health care facilities.
It is important to remember that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds and this type of stigma should be avoided. For more about stigma related to COVID-19 and how to prevent it, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/related-stigma.html.
Persons who have traveled from affected countries/areas in the past 14 days and have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical care, and should contact their healthcare provider and inform them of their travel history before going in.
DPH is advising healthcare providers statewide to be alert for patients who have traveled from affected countries/areas and present with a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness. The Department disseminated a detailed medical advisory to healthcare providers about COVID-19 reporting, testing, specimen collection and healthcare infection control recommendations for potential COVID-19 cases.
Healthcare providers who suspect COVID-19 infection in a patient should report them immediately to DPH by calling 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584) and ask for a Medical Epidemiologist.
