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National and/or State News Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates concerning the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state, and local news sources:

New York Times: 

• At least 918 new coronavirus deaths and 43,470 new cases were reported in the United States on Sept. 29, 2020. Over the past week, there have been an average of 43,144 cases per day, an increase of 13 percent from the average two weeks earlier.
• As of Wednesday morning, more than 7,219,900 people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 205,800 have died, according to a New York Times database.
• In 23 states and territories, cases are higher and staying high
• In 1 state, Alabama, cases are higher but going down
• In 6 states and territories cases are lower but going up
• In 24 states and territories, including Georgia, cases are lower and staying low

Elevated Issue of Local Concern or Awareness-Ben Moser

• An article from the New York Times today:
• More than 60 percent of households with children in the United States reported serious financial problems — including struggles to afford medical care, depletion of household savings and difficulty paying credit card and other debts — during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll.
• Black and Latino households with children bear the brunt of the hardships.
• Of the Latino households who responded, 86 percent reported these difficulties; in Black households, 66 percent reported them. In white households, the number hovers around 50 percent.
• The immense differences were surprising, as they came after federal and state governments invested heavily in programs for communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic, said Robert Blendon, a director of the study behind the report and a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.
• “So much money was spent to put a cushion under households,” Dr. Blendon said, adding that because of this, “the expenditures should have lowered for everybody.” But, he said, “the numbers of people in trouble, that is the shock.”
• The poll, conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, surveyed more than 3,400 adults, 1,000 of whom were living with children under the age of 18, between July 1 and August 3, 2020.

Economic Sector and Impact Area Updates 

Public:

Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

• The school district will report their cases to the community each Monday.
• The school district is continuing to follow the guidelines provided by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
• Reminder to parents to keep children at home if they are not feeling well.
• Thanked everyone for their continued support and assistance throughout the pandemic.

Non-Profit:

Health
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare Update-Melody Trimble

Melody gave the following updates:

• Good news is that the hospitalization rate is stabilizing, and the numbers are continuing to plateau. However, they continue to watch the numbers very carefully. 
• Thanked everyone for what they are doing to mitigate the spread of the virus. The hospital is doing well, and they appreciate everyone’s help. 

Georgia Department of Public Health (Columbus Health Department) Update- April Carlisle

April gave the following updates:

• Reminder of the Columbus Health Department COVID-19 Call Center. Call 706-321-6300, Option 1, if you need assistance, more information or to schedule testing.
• The Columbus Health Department testing hours have changed. COVID-19 specimen collection is Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, in the parking lot behind 2100 Comer Avenue, on 11^th Avenue and Center Street. Saturday testing will be from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. 
• Additional testing site: Dr. Jacqueline Owusu, 5401 Gunboat Dr., Ste. 27, Columbus, GA  31907. Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Holidays TBA
• Information and to schedule testing can be found on their website and Facebook page.

Housing
Home for Good/United Way Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates:

• Monthly Housing Navigation and COVID-19 Response Meeting, Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 3:00pm via WebEx. See attached link. https://unitedwayofthechattahoocheevalley.my.webex.com/unitedwayofthechattahoocheevalley.my/j.php?MTID=mfbc2edb3f6d4b4335074c88a888ea327
• Reminder to agencies. Link to ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) CARES Sub Grantee Funding Application and information. Application deadline is Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 5:00pm. See attached link. http://www.homeforgoodcv.org/emergency-solutions-grants-program-cares-act-funding-session/

Grants/Projects Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

• A grant was awarded this week to Hope Harbor.
• Total grants to date awarded from the fund is $1,190,000.
• Appreciates everyone helping to support the fund. The work is challenging but necessary to help our community.  Committed to continuing to do the work.
• Reminder to everyone to stay vigilant.
• For details on grants, donating to the fund or if you are an agency that needs assistance go to cfcv.com/coronavirus