Macon County Jail suspends visitation due to COVID-19
News, Press Release September 8, 2021
Due to an increase in Covid exposures in our facility, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office is suspending all inmate visitations at this time. We take safety and security of our staff and inmates as a top priority. Inmates will be able to continue having access to telephones but visitation requires moving of inmates and unnecessary contact with others. This contact comes at great risk to the health of my employees, the general public and those incarcerated in our facility.
Finding ways to alleviate those risks is the responsibility of my staff and I and my team feels this is necessary to do at this time. As we do regularly, our agency is working closely and following directions from the Macon County Health Department and the appropriate medical staff which includes our Detention Center Physician and nurse.
When normal visitation resumes, we will be sure to make that known to the public. This will be a temporary measure and we intend to open all visitations to inmates back up the moment we feel it is appropriate under our current situation.
Please be understanding with these measures as we deal with these concerns. In closing, I can assure all family members of inmates that telephone communication between inmates and family members will remain uninterrupted. Your ability to communicate with your family member will remain open through the normal procedures and process. These measures are being implemented as a precautionary measure and in the best interest of all concerned.
COVID-19 Cases Declining Rapidly in North Carolina Long-Term Care Settings
News, Press Release March 4, 2021
RALEIGH — New COVID-19 cases in North Carolina long-term care facilities have declined rapidly in the last several weeks. Case rates are down over 15-fold in skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes and other licensed facilities since the peak of transmission in January 2021. Given the rapid decline in new cases, most facilities currently meet criteria to resume indoor visitation while continuing to follow infection prevention recommendations.
The rapid declines in case numbers can be attributed to early vaccination prioritization for residents and staff of long-term care facilities and decreasing community transmission. More than 205,000 vaccines have been administered to long-term care staff and residents, and vaccinations through the federal long-term care partnership for COVID-19 vaccinations will continue into March.
“Protecting our residents and staff in long-term care has been a top priority in our pandemic response efforts and seeing cases decrease in these settings is heartening,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “I know it has a been a long, difficult year for residents and families, but those measures saved lives and are now allowing us to resume safe, indoor visitation. While we need to continue infection prevention practices, this decrease is also a positive sign of the impact vaccinations have in our communities.”
The declining number of cases in long-term care settings means many facilities can resume indoor visitation. While facilities may conduct visits at any time for residents with compassionate care needs, federal and state guidelines have additional criteria for facilities to resume indoor visitation, which include following infection prevention practices and having no new cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Medicare certified skilled-nursing facilities must meet additional criteria required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Since the start of the pandemic, NCDHHS’s response has focused on a five-point strategy for long-term care facilities including prevention, staffing, testing, outbreak management and oversight. The state has created regional infection prevention teams to support facilities; provided personal protective equipment; helped fill staffing shortages; provided infection prevention and control training, provided targeted funding; mandated testing; and completed on-site infection control inspections of North Carolina’s more than 400 nursing homes.
To continue to reduce community transmission of COVID-19, North Carolinians should continue to practice the three Ws — Wait, Wear Wash — and, when they become eligible for the vaccine, get vaccinated.
Ask The Doc! Fighting Off Covid-19
Community, Lifestyle October 2, 2020
This morning, The doctors address a comment left on one of the Ask The Doc Segments. What drugs are good for fighting off Covid-19 or do we just wait on a vaccine? The Doctors also address the President and first lady testing positive for Covid-19. What do the Doctors have to say about testing positive with no symptoms? When could he have contracted the virus? How long has he had it? All this and more on Ask The Doc!
Ask The Doc! College And Covid-19
Lifestyle September 28, 2020
This morning, the doctors discuss how colleges are dealing with Covid-19. When a Student tests positive, the colleges continue classes and give the infected student their own quarantined dorm. Is this the approach we should be taking with everything? Should we worry over the numbers? Hear Doctor Whaley and Doctor Tidman’s point of view on this right here on Ask the Doc!
COVID-19 case numbers for Macon County
Uncategorized May 18, 2020
MACON COUNTY, N.C. – As part of the effort to keep the county informed, Macon County Health Department (JCHD) issues daily detailed updates about the status of COVID-19, including recovery numbers.
The following information is from the September 23rd update.
MCHD has reported confirmed 606 cases and 7 death due to COVID-19. Currently, 575 have recovered from the virus and 24 patients are still active.
7,641 tests were reported to MCHD and 5,566 were conducted by MCHD staff. 66 are still pending results.
Statewide the NCDHHS has confirmed 196,501 cases in 99 N.C. counties. 912 are currently hospitalized, and 3,345 have died.
MCHD also emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:
At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, until further notice.
NCDHHS expands measures to prevent COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
Community, Health May 18, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.
“We have a team dedicated to supporting our long-term care facilities as they protect our aging family members and loved ones who require round-the-clock care and the staff who care for them,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “We want to help them do all that they can because once an outbreak occurs in a congregate living setting, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus.”
PPE packs will go to more than 3,000 state-licensed long-term care facilities and include a fourteen-day supply of face shields, procedure masks, gloves and shoe covers. Adult care homes, family care homes, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health facilities will receive supplies. NCDHHS is partnering with North Carolina Emergency Management and the National Guard to deliver the packs at local distribution centers.
In addition to the PPE distribution, NCDHHS is providing a time-limited Medicaid rate increase for nursing facility services such as skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The increase is intended to support strengthening infection prevention and management capacities with technical support from NCDHHS. The increase will also apply to personal care assistance and home health services to help providers who support people being able to stay at home where there is less risk to exposure.
NCDHHS also released updated testing guidance to clinicians that recommends testing people who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities.
These actions build on earlier measures North Carolina has taken to protect residents and staff in long-term facilities. Previous actions include:
- Issuing Executive Order 130, which codified public health and safety requirements for nursing homes, including requiring staff to wear surgical masks, screenings for all staff and residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 daily and closing communal areas.
- Conducting remote infection prevention and control consultation with skilled nursing and other long-term facilities across the state through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology.
- Providing targeted funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes to provide the more intensive care needed for residents with COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus to other residents and staff.
- Providing a toolkit to support long-term care facilities in preparing for and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their facility. The toolkit contains an infection control assessment, infection staffing worksheet, infection prevention educational resources and other tools.
- Helping to fill staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and other health care facilities through a partnership with East Carolina University School of Nursing to match Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants with facilities, particularly long-term care facilities, that are seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. Interested health care employees can register at nc.readyop.com/fs/4cjq/697b.
- Implementing several temporary regulatory changes to assist providers in caring for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adopting an emergency rule granting reciprocity to nurse aides certified in other states to work as nurse aides in North Carolina, and allowing facilities to exceed the number of licensed beds if needed to provide temporary shelter and services to adequately care for residents with COVID-19.
- Providing virtual trainings for more than 2,000 staff working in long-term care sites. Trainings are available online at www.ncahec.net/covid-19/webinars.
For NCDHHS and CDC guidance for long-term care facilities visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance#long-term-care-facilities. A list of congregate care settings with outbreaks is available on the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard.
NCDHHS reports 9,115 COVID-19 patients are presumed recovered
Health, Press Release May 18, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) estimates that as of May 11, 9,115 North Carolinians with COVID-19 are likely to have recovered from their symptoms. This data along with information about how it is calculated is posted on the COVID-19 Dashboard and will be updated weekly.
To calculate this number, NCDHHS estimates the median time for recovery from symptoms to be 14 days from the date of specimen collection for non-fatal COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized or if hospitalization status is unknown, or 28 days for hospitalized non-fatal COVID-19 cases.
Patients’ actual recovery times could be shorter or longer depending on the severity of illness. This interval was chosen based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, and in consultation with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state health departments. This estimates how many people have recovered from their symptoms. It does not estimate who many cases are or are not still infectious.
To learn more and find the current weekly reportOpen PDF on COVID-19 patients presumed to be recovered, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard. Go to covid19.ncdhhs.gov to stay informed on the latest COVID-19 updates.
Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. When going out, remember the 3 Ws. Wear a face covering. Wait at least six feet apart. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
For information on the North Carolina COVID-19 response across state government, visit nc.gov/covid19.
15,816 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina as of May 13
Health May 13, 2020
In an effort to keep our readers, up to date with the latest number of cases confirmed in N.C., Fetch Your News will continually be updating this article with the most recent updates from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
As of May 13, 2020, NCDHHS reported 15,816 cases statewide, 597 deaths, and 521 hospitalized. The highest concentration is now in Mecklenburg with 2,204 cases and 61 deaths. NCDHHS reported 210,457 tests have been completed in the state. The confirmed cases report is released each day at 11 a.m.
Up-to-date map of N.C.
NC Counties with Confirmed Cases
| County | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | 181 | 8 |
| Alexander County | 14 | 0 |
| Alleghany County | 9 | 0 |
| Anson County | 34 | 0 |
| Ashe County | 16 | 0 |
| Beaufort County | 25 | 0 |
| Bertie County | 72 | 3 |
| Bladen County | 63 | 1 |
| Brunswick County | 50 | 2 |
| Buncombe County | 105 | 4 |
| Burke County | 148 | 13 |
| Cabarrus County | 361 | 18 |
| Caldwell County | 67 | 1 |
| Camden County | 2 | 0 |
| Carteret County | 34 | 3 |
| Caswell County | 40 | 1 |
| Catawba County | 85 | 2 |
| Chatham County | 468 | 11 |
| Cherokee County | 18 | 1 |
| Chowan County | 12 | 0 |
| Clay County | 5 | 0 |
| Cleveland County | 51 | 2 |
| Columbus County | 216 | 17 |
| Craven County | 55 | 4 |
| Cumberland County | 398 | 10 |
| Currituck County | 9 | 0 |
| Dare County | 17 | 1 |
| Davidson County | 232 | 10 |
| Davie County | 37 | 2 |
| Duplin County | 274 | 4 |
| Durham County | 903 | 35 |
| Edgecombe County | 157 | 7 |
| Forsyth County | 449 | 5 |
| Franklin County | 119 | 20 |
| Gaston County | 181 | 5 |
| Gates County | 11 | 0 |
| Graham County | 2 | 0 |
| Granville County | 171 | 6 |
| Greene County | 37 | 1 |
| Guilford County | 670 | 44 |
| Halifax County | 96 | 1 |
| Harnett County | 228 | 15 |
| Haywood County | 19 | 0 |
| Henderson County | 250 | 30 |
| Hertford County | 49 | 1 |
| Hoke County | 128 | 0 |
| Hyde County | 1 | 0 |
| Iredell County | 162 | 5 |
| Jackson County | 22 | 1 |
| Johnston County | 220 | 17 |
| Jones County | 20 | 2 |
| Lee County | 285 | 2 |
| Lenoir County | 125 | 5 |
| Lincoln County | 42 | 0 |
| Macon County | 3 | 1 |
| Madison County | 1 | 0 |
| Martin County | 33 | 3 |
| McDowell County | 29 | 1 |
| Mecklenburg County | 2,204 | 61 |
| Mitchell County | 5 | 0 |
| Montgomery County | 43 | 2 |
| Moore County | 112 | 10 |
| Nash County | 133 | 3 |
| New Hanover County | 112 | 3 |
| Northampton County | 122 | 9 |
| Onslow County | 59 | 2 |
| Orange County | 258 | 34 |
| Pamlico County | 8 | 0 |
| Pasquotank County | 81 | 5 |
| Pender County | 40 | 1 |
| Perquimans County | 19 | 2 |
| Person County | 31 | 1 |
| Pitt County | 182 | 2 |
| Polk County | 29 | 3 |
| Randolph County | 369 | 6 |
| Richmond County | 98 | 2 |
| Robeson County | 440 | 4 |
| Rockingham County | 43 | 2 |
| Rowan County | 497 | 25 |
| Rutherford County | 154 | 5 |
| Sampson County | 176 | 1 |
| Scotland County | 43 | 0 |
| Stanly County | 30 | 4 |
| Stokes County | 18 | 0 |
| Surry County | 47 | 1 |
| Swain County | 5 | 0 |
| Transylvania County | 7 | 0 |
| Tyrrell County | 4 | 0 |
| Union County | 304 | 16 |
| Vance County | 173 | 16 |
| Wake County | 1,080 | 25 |
| Warren County | 23 | 0 |
| Washington County | 25 | 3 |
| Watauga County | 9 | 0 |
| Wayne County | 760 | 13 |
| Wilkes County | 262 | 1 |
| Wilson County | 216 | 9 |
| Yadkin County | 75 | 1 |
| Yancey County | 8 | 0 |
All data are preliminary and may change as cases are investigated.
*County case numbers may change once residence is verified. Therefore, the total number on the county map may differ from the number of NC Cases.
Phase One of reopening North Carolina begins on May 8
Business May 7, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8, residents of N.C. will have certain restrictions lifted as the state moves toward reopening.
In Phase One, the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses is removed and individuals can leave their homes for any commercial activity that is open. Small outdoor gatherings are allowed, but gatherings more than 10 are still prohibited. Religious services and First Amendment activities are also allowed but must follow social distancing protocols. However, the 10-person limit doesn’t apply to these gatherings, but they should gather outside unless impossible.
“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” said Governor Cooper. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.”
Those who do decide to go out they are encouraged to wear a face mask, carry hand sanitizer, wash their hands whenever possible, and regularly clean high-touch surfaces.
“When leaving home and wear it inside all public settings such as grocery stores, pharmacies, or other retail or public-serving businesses. A Face Covering should also be worn outdoors when you cannot maintain at least six (6) feet distancing from other people with the exception of family or household members. These coverings function to protect other people more than the wearer,” states the Executive Order.
Retail stores can operate at 50 percent capacity. Additionally, customers must stand six feet apart and retailers should provide hand sanitizer, screen employees, and frequently clean. NCDHHS is posting the screening questionnaire online.
Phase One summary from Gov. Cooper’s office.
Businesses that remain closed are bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms.
Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, takeout and delivery.
All employees are encouraged to wear face masks or coverings and Cooper still recommends teleworking whenever possible.
Long-term care facilities are still closed to visitors.
Parks are encouraged to open if they can accommodate social distancing, but playgrounds should remain closed.
Childcare facilities will be open to serve families who need the assistance. The organizations are required to follow strict cleaning protocols. Summer day camps can operate in compliance with NC DHHS guidelines.
In explaining the decision to move to Phase One, Cooper and Secretary Cohen reported North Carolina remains stable on the following key metrics:
- Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.
- Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases over the last 14 days cases is slightly increasing.
- Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive over the last 14 days is decreasing.
- Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations over the last 14 days is level.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:
- Laboratory Testing – North Carolina has doubled the daily testing rate.
- Tracing Capability – The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has received over 4,000 applications and is in the process of hiring 250 new contact tracers.
- Personal Protective Equipment – Supply chains continue to improve with the exception of gowns.
The order is in effect until 5 p,m, on Friday, May 22. However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase Two. Phase Two only start if data and indicators are in the right place.
13,397 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina as of May 7
Health May 7, 2020
In an effort to keep our readers, up to date with the latest number of cases confirmed in N.C., Fetch Your News will continually be updating this article with the most recent updates from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
As of May 7, 2020, NCDHHS reported 13,397 cases statewide, 507 deaths, and 525 hospitalized. The highest concentration is now in Mecklenburg with 1,922 cases and 58 deaths. NCDHHS reported that 171,328 tests have been completed in the state. The confirmed cases report is released each day at 11 a.m.
According to NCDHHS data, N.C. does seem to be seeing a dip in positive cases with total positives from this week falling between six and eight percent. However, specimens collected during this timeframe may also be yet to be reported.
Up-to-date map of N.C.
| County | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | 143 | 3 |
| Alexander County | 8 | 0 |
| Alleghany County | 7 | 0 |
| Anson County | 33 | 0 |
| Ashe County | 6 | 0 |
| Beaufort County | 22 | 0 |
| Bertie County | 57 | 2 |
| Bladen County | 45 | 1 |
| Brunswick County | 49 | 2 |
| Buncombe County | 88 | 4 |
| Burke County | 126 | 11 |
| Cabarrus County | 333 | 17 |
| Caldwell County | 50 | 0 |
| Camden County | 2 | 0 |
| Carteret County | 29 | 3 |
| Caswell County | 38 | 0 |
| Catawba County | 65 | 1 |
| Chatham County | 421 | 11 |
| Cherokee County | 18 | 1 |
| Chowan County | 7 | 0 |
| Clay County | 5 | 0 |
| Cleveland County | 50 | 2 |
| Columbus County | 184 | 11 |
| Craven County | 46 | 4 |
| Cumberland County | 336 | 9 |
| Currituck County | 7 | 0 |
| Dare County | 14 | 1 |
| Davidson County | 191 | 9 |
| Davie County | 31 | 2 |
| Duplin County | 161 | 3 |
| Durham County | 807 | 29 |
| Edgecombe County | 137 | 7 |
| Forsyth County | 332 | 5 |
| Franklin County | 111 | 20 |
| Gaston County | 157 | 4 |
| Gates County | 10 | 0 |
| Graham County | 2 | 0 |
| Granville County | 164 | 5 |
| Greene County | 33 | 0 |
| Guilford County | 536 | 35 |
| Halifax County | 77 | 1 |
| Harnett County | 199 | 12 |
| Haywood County | 16 | 0 |
| Henderson County | 216 | 23 |
| Hertford County | 45 | 1 |
| Hoke County | 113 | 0 |
| Hyde County | 1 | 0 |
| Iredell County | 137 | 5 |
| Jackson County | 20 | 1 |
| Johnston County | 189 | 16 |
| Jones County | 19 | 2 |
| Lee County | 229 | 1 |
| Lenoir County | 97 | 4 |
| Lincoln County | 37 | 0 |
| Macon County | 3 | 1 |
| Madison County | 1 | 0 |
| Martin County | 27 | 1 |
| McDowell County | 28 | 1 |
| Mecklenburg County | 1,922 | 58 |
| Mitchell County | 5 | 0 |
| Montgomery County | 43 | 2 |
| Moore County | 109 | 7 |
| Nash County | 107 | 3 |
| New Hanover County | 91 | 3 |
| Northampton County | 102 | 5 |
| Onslow County | 53 | 2 |
| Orange County | 239 | 30 |
| Pamlico County | 8 | 0 |
| Pasquotank County | 39 | 2 |
| Pender County | 20 | 1 |
| Perquimans County | 14 | 2 |
| Person County | 27 | 1 |
| Pitt County | 152 | 2 |
| Polk County | 30 | 0 |
| Randolph County | 290 | 5 |
| Richmond County | 80 | 2 |
| Robeson County | 313 | 4 |
| Rockingham County | 36 | 2 |
| Rowan County | 452 | 24 |
| Rutherford County | 148 | 5 |
| Sampson County | 126 | 1 |
| Scotland County | 34 | 0 |
| Stanly County | 29 | 4 |
| Stokes County | 10 | 0 |
| Surry County | 26 | 1 |
| Swain County | 5 | 0 |
| Transylvania County | 7 | 0 |
| Tyrrell County | 4 | 0 |
| Union County | 283 | 14 |
| Vance County | 147 | 10 |
| Wake County | 961 | 21 |
| Warren County | 19 | 0 |
| Washington County | 25 | 3 |
| Watauga County | 9 | 0 |
| Wayne County | 699 | 12 |
| Wilkes County | 186 | 1 |
| Wilson County | 192 | 8 |
| Yadkin County | 33 | 1 |
| Yancey County | 7 | 0 |
All data are preliminary and may change as cases are investigated.
DPH Release – Expanded Testing For COVID-19 In Georgia
Featured, Health April 15, 2020
Revised Testing Criteria and Increased Number of Test Sites
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is increasing the number of specimen
collection sites statewide for COVID-19 testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to
accommodate more testing of Georgia residents.
Effective immediately, all symptomatic individuals will be eligible for COVID-19 testing. Health
care workers, first responders, law enforcement and long-term care facility residents and staff will
still be prioritized for testing regardless of whether they are or are not symptomatic.
Referrals are still required, however, there are now two ways to be referred to a DPH specimen
collection site:
Local Health Department –
Individuals who meet COVID-19 testing criteria may now be referred to DPH specimen collection
sites by contacting their local health department. They will be screened by appropriate health
department staff and referred to the closest, most convenient specimen collection site.
Contact information for local health departments can be found on the DPH homepage, under COVID-19 in Georgia.
Health Care Provider Referral –
Health care providers and/or physicians can and should continue to refer patients for COVID-19
testing.
People should not arrive unannounced or without a scheduled appointment at a specimen
collection site, hospital, emergency room or other health care facility. Only individuals who have
been evaluated by public health or a health care provider and assigned a PUI # number will
be referred to these drive-thru sites.
Together we can stop further spread of COVID-19 in our state and save lives.
Stay home – the Governor has issued a shelter-in-place Executive Order that should be observed
by all residents and visitors.
Practice social distancing – keep at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
Wash your hands – use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) if soap and water aren’t readily available.
Wear a mask – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of face
masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where socials distancing is difficult to
maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), and especially in areas of significant community-
based transmission.
For more information about COVID-19 Click here or
Click Here.
For updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and
@GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.
New Data Supports Social Distancing Now More Than Ever
Featured, Health, News April 3, 2020
News Release from the Department of Public Health – April 2, 2020
Atlanta – As Governor Brian Kemp and DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D.,
M.P.H., finalize the details of the Executive Order requiring Georgians to shelter in place, it is
important to emphasize why these measures are needed now to keep all Georgians healthy and
safe and to stop the spread of COVID-19.
For weeks it has been known that people who were positive for COVID-19 but did not have
symptoms likely were able to transmit the virus. However, on March 30, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, M.D., confirmed that new data indicates
that as many as 25% of individuals infected with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic. Additionally,
science also now informs us that individuals who are symptomatic, are infectious up to 48
hours before symptoms appear. This new information tells the health care community,
medical researchers, public health and governments why COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly.
“Until now, containing the spread of COVID-19 has been based on early detection and isolation
of people with symptoms of the virus,” said Toomey. “Social distancing and keeping people
apart from each other are now more than just recommendations; they are the best weapons we
have to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
In addition to social distancing, all Georgians are reminded to wash their hands frequently and
thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) when
soap and water aren’t available. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes with
unwashed hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and throw the used tissue in
the trash.
To read more about the presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914e1.htm?s_cid=mm6914e1_w
For more information about COVID-19 https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
For updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and
@GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.
