May 4, 2020: Coronavirus Community Call -

National and State Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates for Day 53 of the National Emergency over the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state and local news sources:

J. Crew known for producing preppy fashion with mass market appeal filed for bankruptcy on Monday; the company is the first major retailer to fall victim to the pandemic that has hobbled the world economy
Millions of people were allowed to return to work in Italy on Monday as Europe’s longest lockdown started to ease, while countries from Iceland to India took a patchwork of steps to loosen coronavirus restrictions
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments by teleconference Monday, the justices will remotely hear 10 cases over the next two weeks
Global stock markets and oil prices fell Monday as U.S. China tensions escalated over blame for the possible origin of the coronavirus pandemic
In Georgia, Coronavirus numbers from the Georgia Department of health: As of 7:00pm Sunday night, 183,002 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Georgia, with 28,671 confirmed cases, 5,405 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized and 1,179 have died
In Alabama, reminder for COVID-19 resources for businesses and individuals, visit altogetheralabama.org

Columbus Area Updates

Columbus Consolidated Government Update-Mayor Skip Henderson

Mayor Henderson gave the following updates:

The numbers are inching up a little; we are at 332 positive cases in Columbus and 7 deaths
The hospitalization rate remains stable; looks like a small surge happened in Columbus hospitals around April 18^th
Around 3,000 plus tests have been performed in Muscogee County
Continue educating and encouraging citizens to continue to limit trips outside the house, practice social distancing, wear mask in public and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations
They will continue to monitor the numbers; the numbers in the next several weeks will determine if there is any impact (negative or positive) of businesses reopening

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

Natalie gave the following updates:

There are 330 cases in Muscogee County; 168 in Crisp County; 132 in Dooley County; 81 in Macon County; 164 in Randolph County; 389 in Sumter County
There are 1,505 cases in the 16-county health district
Reminder to visit the Georgia Department of Public Health for updates dph.georgia.gov
There were 176 people tested at the Dorothy Height Elementary drive up testing site this past weekend
Will check on getting numbers to report concerning trends as the state begins to open up

Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

They are looking at options as they plan for multiple scenarios for school to resume in the fall

YMCA/Red Cross Update-Scott Balkcum

Scott gave the following updates:

The DA Turner YMCA located on Warm Springs Road is hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Thursday, May 7, 2020 from 2:00pm until 7:00pm

Columbus Area Vulnerable Population Update

Home for Good Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates:

On Friday the Continuum of Care COVID-19 Response Committee from across the state met virtually and discussed how they have implemented the recommendations that came out of the Governors Coronavirus Task Force
Pat reminded callers of the Continuum of Care Housing Navigation Meeting on tomorrow for anyone wishing to join
Continuum of Care Housing Navigation and COVID-19 Response Meeting, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 3:00pm https://meetingsamer8.webex.com/meetingsamer8/j.php?MTID=m52c0eff74454c4940cc8afd82cbb781e

Pat can be reached at pat@unitedwayofthecv.org if there are any questions or if you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the Home for Good weekly newsletter

Coronavirus Response Fund (Crisis Fund) Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

Seeing increase number of requests as organizations are working to provide food, utility assistance and rent assistance to people that are hurting
Please go to cfcv.com/coronavirus for information about grant awards, amount of funds received and ways to donate
Reminder of AFLAC match; They will match individual gifts to the fund up to $2,000 for a total of $100,000

Open Forum Updates

New Horizon Behavioral Health Update-Susan Gallagher

Susan gave the following updates:

An Emotional Support Crisis Line has been established; the number is 866-399-8938; the line is staffed 7 days a week and 24 hours a day by volunteers

Amerigroup Update-Lauren Chambers

Lauren gave the following updates:

Georgia Medicaid is automatically extending coverage during the pandemic
Lauren can be contacted at lauren.chambers@amerigroup.com

Stewart Community Home Update-Kara VinZant

Kara gave the following updates:

The National Guard came in and tested all the residents of Stewart Community Home and they have 100% negative results
Melissa, the Facility nurse will be contacting everyone today for mask distribution

St. Francis Emory Healthcare Update-Melody Trimble

Melody gave the following updates:

Wished her colleagues Happy Nurse’s Week and Happy Hospital Week
St. Francis continues to see a downward trend in hospitalizations
Thanked everyone for their support throughout the pandemic

211 Update-Candace Muncy

Candace gave the following updates:

Monthly update from April: 211 took 671 calls; 250 of those were directly related to COVID-19; of the 250 calls, 1200 referrals were given
People are having multiple needs; top needs for the month were housing, utility assistance, access to food, access to testing for COVID-19 and small business assistance