Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on April 3

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:

Bibb County mayor holds press conference

The Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert talked about how Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order impacts the county at a news conference Friday. Read about the details here.

Should your business remain open under the governor’s new order?

The Georgia Department of Economic Development has developed a web page with additional information about how the governor’s order impacts businesses at www.georgia.org/COVID19.

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority board meeting canceled

Monday’s board meeting of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority has been canceled.

Items on the agenda will be deferred to the next regular meeting, or if necessitated, a virtual meeting of the board is expected to be called in compliance with the state Open Meetings Act, according to a MBCIA email.

“MBCIA’s dedication to our mission is unwavering, and the entire MBCIA team continues to work to support and aid our industries and businesses, in this time of need,” Robby Fountain, board chairman, said in an email. “If any matter or condition requires immediate action, I will confer with the board members to call a meeting in short order.”

VA Medical Center in Dublin offers virtual care tools

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin is offering virtual tools for veterans to receive care via telephone or video appointments.

Other tools available range from prescription ordering to secure messaging to a veteran’s healthcare team to automated texts about COVID-19, according to a VA Medical Center news release.

“Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures and out of concern for our veterans, we are honoring current social isolation and distancing guidelines,” David L. Whitmer, medical center director, said in the release. “Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are able to leverage available technology to make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible during this time.”

The medical center is asking its clients to use the online tools for routine and non-urgent questions in order to help the center address veterans with most urgent needs.

Virtual tools available include:

▪ Telephone or video appointments via VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones or tablets.

To set up, veterans can send their provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov.

“Veterans may also call, but VA is requesting that Veterans only call with urgent needs at this time,” the release said.

To learn more about VA Video Connect, visit mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.

▪ Veterans can request prescription refills and order and ship medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app. Download the app at mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill.

▪ Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to send automated text messages with information about COVID-19. Enroll at mobile.va.gov/annie.

“This application helps veterans monitor for symptoms and can assist if they need to contact their VA facility for care,” the release said.

▪ With My HealtheVet, VA’s online patient portal, Veterans can send online secure messages to your VA health care team to ask them non-urgent health questions. Register at www.myhealth.va.gov.

▪ To reach Connected Care Services, call 1-800-595-5229. Choose option 2 for pharmacy, option 3 for scheduling, option 4 for nursing. The call center hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call the 24/7 number at 888-651-2684. In many cases, telehealth is available.

For more information about VA’s Connected Care technologies, visit connectedcare.va.gov.

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 April 3, 2020 at 9:37 AM.