Oconee County Coronavirus Update May 11

Press release from the Oconee County Government:

May 11, 2020

On Saturday, May 9, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals. Below is a joint statement that was issued following the conference call on May 9:

We’ve just completed another conference call update with our local hospitals, healthcare providers and the Department of Public Health and want to share with the community the latest information.

Our area remains in a very strong position with a relatively low number of positive cases and continued decreasing hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients. Overall, our providers report good news in our fight against COVID-19.

The most significant news came from the Department of Public Health as now all individuals - regardless of symptoms - are eligible for testing. Individuals can call their primary care doctor for referral or testing or can call the Northeast Health District’s hotline at 706-340-0996. Other options include local urgent care centers or the Augusta University’s Express Care for a virtual screening: augustaexpresscare.org.

Additionally, the Department of Public Health reported that it is fully caught up on contact tracing work for individuals who have tested positive in our health district. As testing continues to ramp up, it’s likely we will see more moderate and asymptomatic cases - which will result in more contact tracing, so they are ramping up contact tracers here and across the state. Cooperation is key - it’s critical that individuals who are contacted by the Dept. of Public Health follow the guidance given whether to isolate or quarantine or otherwise.

Our hospitals and providers are beginning to ramp up surgeries and other non-COVID activity. It’s important that the community know the hospitals are taking all steps to keep these spaces safe, and individuals should feel comfortable addressing other medical conditions.

While our area remains in a good position, there are areas of the state that have seen a spike - such as Gainesville. This serves as a reminder that we must continue to be smart: wash our hands, social distance, wear a mask when unable to social distance and disinfect commonly used surfaces and areas.

Mayor Kelly GirtzMayor Dodd FerrelleChairman John DaniellSenator Bill CowsertSenator Frank GinnRepresentative Spencer FryeRepresentative Houston GainesRepresentative Marcus Wiedower

As a reminder, Oconee County Government offices in the Oconee County Courthouse and Government Annex will re-open to the public in a limited capacity on Thursday, May 14. In order to maintain a safe environment that will limit the potential for transmission of COVID-19 for both visitors and employees, the following measures will be taken:

-Visitors with a fever will not be allowed to enter the courthouse or annex-A limited number of people will be allowed in the courthouse and annex at a time; tape markers will be affixed at various places indicating where people may wait-Six feet of separation between individuals will be required inside buildings-Frontline county employees will wear masks-Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks-Everyone is strongly encouraged to utilize online, email, and phone options to do business with the county-The Board of Elections Office remains closed to the public at this time; a dropbox has been placed in front of the office to drop off ballots

For full details and updates on the Tax Commissioner’s Office and Parks & Recreation, please visit: https://www.oconeecounty.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=814.

This press release was produced by the Oconee County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.