March 24, 2020: Coronavirus Community Call

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