Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on March 28
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:
State agency offers ideas for Georgia’s Pre-K Program students
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is launching a web page of family resources.
Starting Monday, the state agency will offer “Georgia Pre-K At Home” on its website at www.decal.ga.gov.
The page will include educational resources divided into four categories: Storytime, Virtual Field Trips, Let’s Go Outside and Screen-Free Time, according to a Georgia DECAL news release.
Activities will be based on the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards and include simple household items.
Houston County schools change days that meals offered
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.
Macon-Bibb tax deadlines approaching requiring forms by mail
The Macon-Bibb County Tax Assessor’s Office has closed to the public until further notice, having moved their services online at www.bibbassessors.com.
All real property returns and applications for exemption are required to be mailed and post marked no later than April 1, according to the website.
The same deadline is also in effect for all personal property returns and applications, which will only be accepted by mail. Returns are considered filed upon receipt, with only the U.S. Postal Service postmark serving as the date of filing.
Forms are available online. Questions or concerns should be directed to 478-621-6701 for real property and 478-621-6723 for personal property.
Hospital gets Georgia National Guard support
This comes from Beau Evans, staff writer for Capitol Beat News Service:
Dozens of Georgia National Guard members have deployed to help prop up medical staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, where an influx of patients infected with coronavirus has filled hospital beds and severely cut into medical supplies.
More than 40 National Guard members including military medics, nurses and a doctor arrived at the hospital Thursday and Friday, according to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office. They brought five ventilators in addition to medical support expertise to help hospital staff focus on the most critical patients.
More than 170 National Guard members have been readied to deploy across the state, the governor’s office said. Kemp authorized 2,000 members total to stand ready for the state’s fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic.
Wesleyan students harassed
Liz Fabian of the Center for Collaborative Journalism wrote about two Chinese students attending Wesleyan College who were harassed this week at a local store. She reports the Macon community has responded by sending “pre-wrapped snacks and baked goods” for students at the college who are unable to return home.
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 28, 2020 at 9:00 AM.