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Happy Veterans Day and Thank You to All Who Have Served

National and/or State News Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates concerning the coronavirus that causes COVID-19:

New York Times: 

• At least 1,448 new coronavirus deaths and 139,855 new cases were reported in the United States on November 10. Over the past week, there has been an average of 123,315 cases per day, an increase of 69 percent from the average two weeks earlier.
• As of Wednesday morning, more than 10,331,900 people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 240,200 have died, according to a New York Times database.
• In 49 states and territories, including Alabama and Georgia, new cases are higher and staying high
• In the remaining 5 states and territories new cases are lower but going up

Elevated Issue of Local Concern or Awareness-Ben Moser

• A reminder to remain vigilant, wear your mask, social distance and be aware of overcrowding enclosed and/or poorly ventilated spaces.
• From NPR:
• Throughout the U.S., hospitals and health care workers are tracking the skyrocketing number of new coronavirus cases in their communities and bracing for a flood of patients to come in the wake of those infections. Already, seriously ill COVID-19 patients are starting to fill up hospital beds at unsustainable rates.
• U.S. hospitalizations overall have nearly doubled since late September. As of Tuesday, 59,275 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized around the country, nearly on par with the highs of the midsummer and spring surges.
• “We have legitimate reason to be very, very concerned about our health system at a national level,” says Lauren Sauer, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University who studies hospital surge capacity.
• The spring and summer waves of COVID-19 hospitalizations were concentrated largely in a handful of cities in the Northeast and parts of the South.
• With the virus now surging across the country, experts warn that the impact of this next wave of hospitalizations will be even more devastating and protracted. “I fear that we’re going to have multiple epicenters,” says Dr. Mahshid Abir, an emergency physician at the University of Michigan and researcher at the Rand Corp. who has developed a model that helps hospitals manage surge capacity.
• If that happens, Abir warns that there won’t be flexibility to shuffle around resources to the places in need because everywhere will be overwhelmed.
• The impact varies state by state with certain areas showing much more rapid increases in hospitalizations. As of Monday, hospitalizations are now rising in 47 states, according to data collected by The COVID Tracking Project, and 22 states are seeing their highest numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the pandemic began

Economic Sector and Impact Area Updates

Public:
Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

• The school district is seeing a slight uptick in positive cases.
• Last week there were about 18 reported positive cases among 36,000 students and employees, which is remarkable.
• They are also seeing an uptick in the cases of isolations and quarantines.
• The cases have been manageable, and they have not had to close any schools.  
• Thankful for faculty, staff, parents and students working together to observe CDC guidelines.

Non-Profit:

Food
Feeding the Valley Update-Frank Sheppard

Frank gave the following updates:

• Feeding the Valley remains busy with food distributions.
• There is a bonus produce distribution in Woodbury, Georgia (Talbot County) at the City Hall today until noon.
• Also, food distribution in Harris County, Georgia today at Moultrie Park.
• There will be food distribution tomorrow in Meriwether County, Georgia at four sites: two in Greenville, one in Luthersville and one in Warm Springs.
• Normal monthly food distribution in Russell County, Alabama at the Central Activity Center in Phenix City on the fourth Saturday will be moved from Saturday, November 28 to Wednesday, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. This is for Alabama residents only.
• Normal monthly food distribution in Muscogee County, Georgia will be held at the Columbus Civic Center on Saturday, November 21 for Georgia residents only. There will be a bonus distribution in partnership with the Columbus Consolidated Government on Monday, November 23 also at the Columbus Civic Center
• For additional information please visit the Feeding the Valley website at feedingthevalley.org or call 706-561-4755.

Health
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare Update-Melody Trimble

Melody gave the following updates:

• St. Francis remains committed and dedicated to continuing to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
• Asked everyone to remain vigilant.
• A press release will be coming soon on an exciting first happening at St. Francis.
• They are working with the state along with other healthcare providers concerning a COVID 19 vaccine. Details to come.
• Reminder that it is safe for people to come to the hospital for care.
• Currently, they are allowing a patient companion in the facility.
• Thanked everyone for what they are doing.

Grants/Projects Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

• There are three grant awards today: Easterseals, Power through Christ Ministries and Take the City/The Verge Church.
• Grants awarded to date total $1,234,384. For grant details go to cfcv.com/coronavirus
• Thanks to everyone who help location PPE resources. They are working on a list for distribution.