More than 1,145 coronavirus cases reported in Middle Georgia, and other things you should know

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 1,146 positive COVID-19 cases in Middle Georgia in its 7 p.m. Thursday update, up by 27 since noon Thursday.

Washington and Baldwin had the largest jump in cases with four additional reported.

Houston had one new death reported in the latest update.

As of Thursday’s report, Houston County had the most reported deaths in Middle Georgia with 14.

Here’s a breakdown of cases and deaths by county:

• Bibb 305, 10

• Houston 223, 14

• Baldwin 215, 6

• Macon 76, 3

• Laurens 60, 1

• Peach 46, 2

• Washington 42, 1

• Wilkinson 35, 2

• Pulaski 30, 1

• Jones 28, 0

• Dodge 26, 0

• Monroe 23, 3
  
  

• Bleckley 16, 0

• Crawford 15, 0

• Twiggs 8, 0

At 7 p.m.., the state of Georgia reported 26,260 confirmed cases and 1,132 deaths, with 43 of those in Middle Georgia.

For the full update from the state of Georgia click here.

Macon Periods Easier to provide free menstrual products

Macon Periods Easier will provide free menstrual products at three Bibb County Schools starting May 1 until school starts next year, according to a news release.

Bins marked with the MPE logo will be located at the front entrance of Central, Westside and Southwest High Schools, according to the release.

“Normally Macon Periods Easier provides free menstrual products to Bibb County School District schools for distribution during the school day,” said MPE Leadership Team member Erin Hawkins, in the release. “However, with schools closed due to the COVID19 pandemic and many families experiencing greatly reduced incomes, we wanted to help meet the needs of those who are unable to afford these essential items at this time.”

MPE is also donating menstrual products to the Macon Housing Authority to distribute through the Family Investment Center and Buck Melton Center and to the Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department to distribute through the Rosa Jackson Community Center, according to the release.

Middle Georgia Regional Library creates pandemic archive

The Middle Georgia Regional Library has created a pandemic archive to record how the threat of COVID-19 changed the day-to-day lives of Middle Georgians. Here’s more:

“The Middle Georgia Archives is collecting journals, artwork, photos, video, electronic documents, and more to help future researchers understand what daily life was like during this time.

Donations of electronic materials can be made by emailing jacksonm@bibblib.org, and physical donations will be accepted at the Genealogical and Historical Room of Washington Memorial Library once the building reopens.

The library will also accept donations of artifacts such as homemade face masks, special marketing from local restaurants and small businesses, pandemic-themed t-shirts, and the like. More information, FAQs, and suggestions for how to get started can be found at bibblib.org/genealogy-archives/pandemic-archive. Donations can be made by anyone in Middle Georgia, whether or not they are a resident of the Middle Georgia Regional LIbrary system.”

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 12:52 PM.