Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on March 19
First cases confirmed in Macon-Bibb, Peach County and Laurens County
Four additional cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in the Middle Georgia area. All four are currently hospitalized and receiving treatment for COVID-19.
The pair of Laurens County residents are at the Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin. The case in Macon-Bibb and the case in Peach County are both being treated at Navicent Medical Center in Macon.
The total is now at five cases in the Middle Georgia area with the first confirmed case in Houston County on Wednesday.
Health officials announce priority testing for most vulnerable and healthcare workers
Georgia’s elderly, those with chronic, underlying health conditions, people who live in an assisted living facility or a nursing home and healthcare workers, such as first responders and long-term care facility staffers will be a priority when it comes to testing for COVID-19.
Houston County Public Library System offering Chromebooks
The Houston County Public Library System announced Thursday all of its branches are offering Chromebooks for people to take home, according to a post on Facebook.
The libraries have a limited amount of Chromebooks available, and they will be open until 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
People should call the libraries to check availability. Here are the phone numbers for each branch.
Centerville Branch: 478-953-4500
Perry Branch: 478-987-3050
Nola Brantley Memorial Library: 478-923-0128
Dental Association advises dentists to postpone elective procedures
The Georgia Dental Association is recommending that the state’s dentists follow state and federal guidelines and postpone all non-emergency dental work through the end of March.
“As always, the health and safety of the public and dental team are our highest priorities,” said GDA Executive Director Frank J. Capaldo. “The board’s recommendation is not only in the best interest of Georgia’s patients, but by allowing dentists to concentrate on caring for emergency patients it will alleviate the burden that dental emergencies would place on hospital emergency departments,” he said.
According to the association, emergency dental care may include:
- Any treatment for pain, swelling or infection
- Chipped, cracked and broken teeth
- Loose or displaced restorations
Atlanta Gas Light shares community resources
Atlanta Gas Light recently announced it was suspending terminations of service due to nonpayment until April 13. On Wednesday the company shared a variety of community resources designed to help during the pandemic.
- United Way: Call United Way for a referral to assistance programs by dialing 211 from anywhere within the state.
- LIHEAP: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded energy assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income families meet their energy needs during the heating season. Eligibility is based on several factors, including fuel type, geographic region, household size and income. Call 404-657-3426 or 877-423-4746.
- Credit Counseling: If you or someone you know is having trouble paying bills, reach out to ClearPoint, a national, nonprofit credit counseling agency at 800-251-2227 (866-559-8198 for Spanish) or visit ClearPoint’s website at clearpoint.org.
- Senior Citizens Discount Program: Customers 65 years of age or older who have a total annual combined household income of $25,520 or less are eligible for up to a $14 monthly discount on their base charge. Natural gas service must be in the customer’s name to be eligible. Get the online application through our website at atlantagaslight.com.
Other Local Assistance:
- H.E.A.T. (Heating Energy Assistance Team), 678-406-0212 (option 1), info@heatga.org | heatga.org
- Project Share of the Salvation Army, 800-257-4273, salvationarmyatlanta.org/project-share
- St. Vincent DePaul Society, 770-458-9607, svdpgeorgia.org
For more information about each of these programs or help managing natural gas costs, visit atlantagaslight.com.
Carl Vinson VAMC to cease non-urgent, elective procedures
Carl Vinson VA Medical Center has postponed non-urgent elective procedures as of Wednesday, March 18. Heres more:
“Veterans also have the option to schedule an appointment with a non-VA community care provider at VA’s expense.
This action will reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and ICU use and will free up resources to address the needs of Veterans under evaluation and diagnosed with COVID-19. Urgent and emergent surgeries will continue.
To minimize risk for employees and Veterans, everyone who enters the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center will be pre-screened. This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments.
The screening consists of three questions:
- Do you have a fever or worsening cough or shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms?
- Have you or a close contact traveled to an area with widespread or sustained community transmission of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset?
- Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have COVID-19?
Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others.
Information for Veterans is here: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/72615/vas-recommendations-help-slow-covid-19-virus/
Houston County resident tests positive for COVID-19
A Houston County resident tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from the North Central Health District. The person is isolated in their home. NCHD is working to identify people who potentially could have been exposed to the patient when they were infectious.
Bibb County school meals
The Bibb County School Nutrition Program will provide bagged lunches to students in the Macon-Bibb Community during the districts closure related to COVID-19. The program begins March 18 and meals will be served through at least March 27 for anyone aged 18 and younger. Visit for more information.
School district closures
Gov. Brian Kemp ordered all public schools and universities to close from March 18-31. For an updated list of how local schools are transitioning to online learning and more details, click here.
Downtown eating
Many downtown restaurants are offering curbside pickup for customers and have reserved parking meters for people picking their food up.
Coronavirus cases in Georgia
Here’s the most recent number of COVID-19 cases in Georgia. This list will be updated later today with new numbers from the state, as will the map below.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 9:00 AM.