Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on March 27
As COVID-19 continues to impact local schools, business and governments, the Telegraph is working to keep our readers informed about decisions that will impact them. This list will be updated throughout the day. If there’s an item you believe should be included in this list, please email breaking@macon.com.
Here is what you need to know about how the novel coronavirus is affecting Middle Georgia:
Middle Georgia Libraries closed through April 6
The Middle Georgia Regional Library Board has suspended operations of our brick-and-mortar and outreach services through April 6. The libraries are continuing virtual services including Facebook Live storytime, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday phone services, email services, and more.
Digital services are still available at bibblib.org. Community members can also apply for a free digital library card at bibblib.org to get access to ebooks, learning resources, and more.
New days for meals for children offered by Houston County schools
The Houston County School District continues to offer free meals to children while schools are out, but is changing when those meals are offered.
Starting Monday, the meals will be offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The meals had been offered each day of the work week.
Meals will continue to be available for pick-up at four schools between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the car rider or bus lane, according to a school district news release.
Those schools are Huntington Middle, Matt Arthur Elementary, Northside High and Tucker Elementary.
District vans will continue to deliver meals to select neighborhoods three days a week. On Monday and Wednesday, each child will receive two breakfasts and two lunches. On Friday, each child will receive three breakfasts and three lunches.
Meals are available for any child up to 18 years of age. Children do not need to be enrolled in the Houston County School District to receive meals.
Mercer, GPT providing rural physicians with telehealth software
The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University School of Medicine and the Georgia Partnership for Telehealth (GPT) are joining forces to offer rural physicians six free months of GPT’s new web-based telehealth consultation software, according to a press release from Mercer. Here’s more:
“The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center is empowered by a State of Georgia grant to support and assist rural physicians, providers and hospitals and improve healthcare access for rural Georgians.
“This viral pandemic represents a tremendous need for care in areas of the state that are already desperately underserved,” said Jean Sumner, M.D., F.A.C.P., dean of Mercer University School of Medicine.
With technical support from GPT, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center will make the telehealth consultation software easily available to rural physicians across the state. The Center’s project managers were trained on the system and began assisting practices in signing up for this service on March 25.
Enrollment begins by calling or emailing the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at (478) 301-4700 or info@georgiaruralhealth.org. An account, at no charge to the rural physician, will be promptly established, and appointments for patients can begin immediately.
Mercer extends online classes through the end of the semester
University president William Underwood announced today that Mercer would use virtual instruction through the end of the spring 2020 semester. Here’s more information for students, faculty and staff.
Macon-Bibb highlights service changes
Macon-Bibb has implemented several changes to protect the health of its employees and the community while still providing services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Here are key ones as outlined Friday in The Hub, Macon-Bibb’s weekly e-newsletter.
▪ The deadline for business licenses has been extended to May 6.
▪ Although commission meetings are closed to the public, they will be simultaneously broadcast at www.facebook.com/maconbibbcounty and www.maconbibb.us.
▪ Courts and trials continue to be rescheduled.
▪ The Tax Commissioner’s Office is drive-through and online only.
▪ County extension classes and 4-H programs have been canceled.
All offices are either limiting public access or are closed. People are encouraged to call ahead to determine if their needs can be met over the phone or online. Phone numbers are listed at www.maconbibb.us or call 751-7170.
Georgia Responds offers volunteer opportunities
Looking for ways to help with the COVID-19 response? The state Department of Public Health’s Georgia Responds medical volunteer program matches skills and credentials of medical and non-medical volunteers.
Medical volunteers may be used to answer medical questions coming into the COVID-19 hotline or assist at test specimen collection sites, according to a North Central Health District news release.
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.
Restaurants still providing delivery, to-go service
Amid the shutdown, area restaurants are still providing curbside, delivery and to-go service.
Here’s a list of local, downtown Macon restaurants that are still operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s a link to the “Robins To-Go” Facebook page/group set up by Robins Regional Chamber on deliveries, take-out and related information in the Warner Robins area.
Middle Georgia case numbers
The Telegraph will provide updates twice a day on the number of cases reported from Middle Georgia counties following the state’s noon and 7 p.m. updates.
Statewide case numbers
The Telegraph will also provide updates twice a day on the number of cases reported across the state, and update the live map below. This story and map are based on the most recent information from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM.