Emergency Declared, Curfew Set; Confirmed Cases Here

Jasper County is no longer in the clear—the first cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, according to information from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

It is up to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to contact persons that the patients may have come in contact with. Two cases had been confirmed here as of Wednesday noon.

In light of the confirmed cases here, and in an attempt to mitigate further cases, the county has issued an emergency protective order and set a curfew. At a meeting Tuesday, County Commission Chairman Bruce Henry, Monticello Mayor Bryan Standifer, Shady Dale Mayor Larry Champion and Sheriff Donnie Pope met, and along with the city and county managers, drafted a protective order for the entire county, enforceable by the Sheriff’s Office.

The emergency declaration takes effect today, March 26, at 5 p.m., and remains in effect until noon Monday, April 6 unless modified by a subsequent order. (The entire order can be seen on Page 2 of today’s paper.)

The order says that at no place shall more than 10 persons be gathered at a single location if such gathering requires persons to stand or be seated within six feet of any other person.

“Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services, but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services,” the order says.

“A curfew is imposed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. effective during the State of Emergency. Residents, unless “exempt individuals” as defined herein, shall remain in their homes or on their property during the curfew period.” The order outlines who qualifies as “exempt individuals.”

“Any violation of this Countywide Protective Order shall be subject to the fines and penalties of the ordinances as enacted….The sheriff of Jasper County and his lawful deputies shall be authorized to enforce this Protective Order.”

The Primary Care Center (PCC) of Jasper County is following the DPH guidelines, noted PCC Director Jan Gaston. The DPH website advises: If individuals think they have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. At which point, an office visit may be scheduled to test for possible similar ailments such as pneumonia, flu, or strep.

Director Gaston said that testing kits are not available in the local office but rather oral swabs are being collected and sent to the laboratory for diagnostics. She said return times for those results have been averaging between four to five days which last week averaged three days nationally.

For instance, as of this Tuesday afternoon the director said that a sample sent to the laboratory last Thursday had not yet netted any results. However, with number of test completions increasing as the epidemic continues thus the increase in return time as well.

In noting the one postive Covid-19 test result that Jasper County recorded on Tuesday, Mrs. Gaston said that case had not been flagged by the DPH as associated with the PCC.

The DPH is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective.

Likewise, Venture Medical Associates are following DPH guidelines. Venture said it does not have COVID-19 testing, and is encouraging quarantine for those who think they may have it, or may have been exposed. They are taking the temperature of patients as they enter, and those with a fever are immediately taken to a private room.

Jasper County Health Department is offering limited services, and individuals are asked to call ahead, 706-468-6850, before visiting the office.

DPH spokesman Michael Hokanson said, “right now, we want people to take social distancing measures seriously. It’s important that people avoid crowded settings, limit close contact with other individuals and, most importantly, stay home when sick. We encourage businesses that are still operating to look over their current operations and take steps to protect their own employees and customers.”

Everyone should continue to take steps to protect against the spread of viruses:

•Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

•Avoid travel to areas high-risk areas where COVID-19 is very active.

•Stay home when you are sick.

•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.