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March 24, 2020: Coronavirus Community Call

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To download notes, click here.

National and State Updates-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates for Day 12 of the National Emergency from the following media sources: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe:

  • New York virus attack rate is five times more than that anywhere in the United States
  • Federal lawmakers closer to a deal with a two trillion-dollar relief package
  • China to lift lockdown on April 8, 2020
  • Governor of California needs 30,000 more hospital beds
  • Governor of Massachusetts issued a stay at home advisory. All non-essential businesses to close by noon today
  • Governor of Georgia orders all bars and night clubs closed and gatherings of 10 or more stopped for the next two weeks
  • Georgia Income Tax deadline moved from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 to align with the federal deadline
  • Governor of Alabama also extended the state filing deadline to July 15, 2020

Columbus Area Updates

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

Natalie gave the following updates:

  • There are four confirmed cases in Muscogee County
  • There are two confirmed case in each of the following counties: Sumter, Harris, Macon and Randolph
  • Drive-thru testing continues; tests are still limited
  • Hotline remains open for prescreening
  • Columbus Health Department screening Georgia residents only; Alabama residents should contact their local health department
Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

  • Due to federal guidelines the daily feeding program will not occur during Spring Break; will resume April 6,2020
  • Conference call today at 1:00pm with the Governor’s State Superintendent Advisory Council to discuss school closures going forward
Piedmont Columbus Regional-Joel Ames

Joel gave the following updates:

  • As of 8:43am, there were no confirmed cases at Piedmont Columbus Regional
  • In house specimen collection site is still up and running by appointment
  • Continuing no visitor policy with certain exceptions (Pediatrics, Maternity, NICU and End of Life)
  • Screening visitors for temperatures
  • Constricting some parking lots and entrances
  • Supplies are being managed system wide
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley-Jennifer St John

Jennifer gave the following updates:

  • Community partners meeting and working to supply meals for feeding program over Spring Break in same locations
  • Planning call tomorrow at 8:00am
  • Full up on call tomorrow or Thursday
Home for Good and Vulnerable Population Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates:

  • Governor’s task force recommendations delivered to the Governor yesterday
  • Hoping for stay on evictions
  • Local shelters following Center of Disease Control and Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines
  • Looking for alternate ways to get food to the homeless
  • Local shelters and service providers in need of cleaning supplies
Crisis Fund Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

  • Reminder about the Coronavirus Response Fund being administered by the Community Foundation and United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley to help the vulnerable population
  • Fund information on both websites and Facebook
  • Information is gained from this call
  • Nonprofits can register for the fund on the website
  • Planning to award first round of grants in the coming week
  • Staff working on guidelines for the grant
  • People are giving generously; seeing the good side of the community
  • Will keep callers informed

Open Forum Updates

MercyMed-Billy Holbrook

Billy gave the following updates:

  • They are continuing to collect samples for testing; going well
  • Expecting another shipment of testing kits
  • Referrals from the Department of Public Health
  • The primary care clinic is switching to telemedicine where possible
211 Update-Candace Muncy

Candace gave the following updates:

  • 211 call volume has doubled
  • Number one need is housing followed by rent and food assistance
  • Reminder to dial 211 or text zip code 898211 for assistance
Salvation Army Update-Josh Hinson

Josh gave the following updates:

  • Unable to open mens’ shelter as planned; not enough staff to open safely
  • Social Services program receiving increase in calls for rent assistance, food and hygiene products
  • Community meals to go have increased as well

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