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National and State Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates for Day 27 of the National Emergency of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state and local news sources:

• New York State with a population of nearly 20 million now has more confirmed cases than Italy, a nation of 60 million
• In New York City with the total number of fatalities over 4,000, the virus has now claimed more lives than the terrorist attack of 911
• The states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, all announce their highest daily death tolls this week
• Public health officials now say that the United States death toll could be much lower than predicted thanks to social distancing efforts
• The virus is infecting and killing black Americans at an alarming high rate
• Los Angles Mayor orders all city residents to wear face coverings while shopping at essential businesses
• Dow futures waiver between gains and losses following a roller coaster session on Wall Street yesterday
• In Georgia, Governor Kemp extends emergency powers to mid-May
• In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey announced Ribbons of Hope, a campaign encouraging people to tie a ribbon around a tree or pole in their front yards to remind everyone to pray for medical personnel, first responders and for each other

Columbus Area Updates

Columbus Consolidated Government Update-Mayor Skip Henderson

Mayor Henderson gave the following updates:

• As of yesterday, at 7:00pm, there are 54 confirmed cases in Muscogee County and one death confirmed by the Department of Public Health
• Expecting numbers to increase today and tomorrow as results come back from the Community Wide testing
• Good that people will know their status and can act accordingly; isolation and quarantine; closely watching the hospitalization rate
• Read an article about scarcity of ICU rooms and rooms across the state. Spoke with State Homeland Security and GEMA they are stand up temporary hospital beds and feel confident that they are prepared for statewide issues
• In constant contact with local hospitals. They are doing an amazing job. They have been planning and they are prepared as they can be for any surge
• If there is a surge and the local hospitals are overwhelmed, there are plans to stand up some additional beds in a day
• Because of the great work our community is doing abiding by the guidelines, the conversion rate on the test is coming in a little lower than the rest of the state

Department of Public Health (Columbus Health Department) Update-Natalie Mann

Natalie gave the following updates:

• There 54 confirmed cases in Muscogee County; 46 in Crisp; 83 in Randolph; 162 in Sumter
• Check the Department of Public Health website for daily updates
• More testing could account for higher numbers

Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

• Dr. Lewis stated that he did not have anything new to report today

Alabama State Representative Update-Chris Blackshear

Representative Blackshear gave the following updates:

• Spike in cases in Alabama projected between April 17 and April 20
• There are 2029 cases in Alabama
• There are 135 cases in Lee County; 4 deaths and 467 people have been tested
• There are 105 cases in Chambers County; 8 deaths and 202 people have been tested
• In Russell County the are 13 confirmed cases; no deaths and 84 people have been tested
• A total of 19,000 people have been tested statewide; a total of 314 people are hospitalized
• There have been 65 deaths reported and 48 of those have been confirmed

Russell County Sheriff Office Update-Sheriff Heath Taylor

Sheriff Taylor gave the following updates:

• Limiting access to offices; closed for walk ins; by appointments only
• In conversation with State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, over the need for first responders to have names of those infected not just addresses in order to protect themselves when answering call

Russell County Emergency Management Agency Update-Bob Franklin

Bob gave the following updates:

• Limiting public access to all county buildings; outside walk up window for the tag office; encouraging people to use online and mail services
• Talking with MercyMed and Department of Public Health about opening a testing site in Russell county

Columbus Area Vulnerable Population Update

Home for Good Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates from the Governor’s Task Force call yesterday:

• Georgia Tech and CVS Pharmacy are partnering to do drive thru testing by appointment; more information to follow
• Georgia Hospital Association has the ability to stand up 300 beds and 88 mobile units that can be moved around the state if needed
• Governor talked about enforcement of shelter in place order being carried out through Department of Natural Resources and Georgia State Patrol along with local law enforcement
• Agriculture committee is having discussion about harvesting concerns for farmers
• Vulnerable population committee discussed having Department of Community Affairs and GEMA to stand up a coordination center to communicate across the state
• Small business development committee discussed having online training for small business seeking assistance during the crisis
• New outreach committee chaired by Dr. Bernice King. Calvin Smyre is also a member of that committee
• Home for Good Housing Navigation Meeting yesterday. See link below.

COC Housing Navigation Meetings

Crisis Fund Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

• Good news; $136,100 in grants have been awarded to 11 organizations
• To see who the grants were awarded to go to CFCV.com/coronavirus
• Continue to share the link and keep the donations coming in
• There is still money left on Global Payments/TSYS $100,000 matching gift to the fund; they will match individual gifts to the fund up to $2,000 for a total of $100,000

Open Forum Updates

Georgia Power Update-Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith gave the following updates:

• The Georgia Public Service Commission voted yesterday and has asked  all utilities to suspend all disconnects throughout the pandemic
• Asking people who can pay to continue to pay to avoid large balances in the end
• Georgia Power will continue to work to help customer