Covid-19 Testing Changes, Jasper At 89 Cases

Due to the summer heat, and for the safety of both patients and staff, North Central Health District’s (NCHD) Covid-19 testing sites, called specimen points of collection (SPOC), will have updated hours beginning this week.

The Jasper County Health Department (JCHD) will now test patients Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon. Beginning Saturday, July 18, SPOCs will implement a rotating weekend schedule. The JCHD will host weekend testing on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 & 2. Sites open on their assigned weekends will operate Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and Sundays by appointment only.

In addition to the SPOC updates, NCHD is changing the hours for the district’s Covid-19 Testing Line, 1-844-987-0099. Effective Monday, July 13, the hotline will operate Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Anyone in need of COVID-19 testing through NCHD must call this number to schedule an appointment.

As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to dramatically increase across Georgia, it is important for every citizen to take steps to protect themselves and others from the spread COVID-19 in every community:

•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 percent alcohol.

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

•Avoid close contact with people who are ill.

•Stay home when you are sick.

•Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use the inside of your elbow to cover your cough or sneeze.

•Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces.

•When out in public, keep 6 feet between yourself and other, and avoid crowds.

•Wear cloth face coverings in places where maintaining a six-foot distance from others is difficult or impossible.

Jasper County Covid-19 cases, like most surrounding areas, have been on the incline over the past three weeks as this week’s local rise includes an increase from 79 cases last week to 89 cases as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to the weekly report issued by the NCHD, each of the 13 counties within the district reflect a substantial spread of Covid-19 cases for the period of June 22 through July 5. Upon analysis of data collected, the NCHD classifies counties into three categories substantial spread, minimal/moderate spread, and low/insufficient data.

The NCHD’s EpidemiolProgram is responsible for investigating every reported case of laboratory-confirmed Covid-19. The following information describes the activities of the epidemiology program and provides a description of the current situation with the district.

The NCHD only reports confirmed cases that reside within the 13 counties that make up the district. Although serology (i.e. antibody tests) are reportable, they do not meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition for a confirmed case, therefore serology tests are not included in the weekly reports.

For the period between June 6-12, there was 27 percent increase in cases district wide. Also district wide there were 313 new cases per 100,000 population confirmed during the 14 incidence period of June 22 through July 5 whereas the previous two week period reflected a rate of 180 cases per 100,000 population.

Demographically district wide there have been 4,752 confirmed and presumptive cases with a median age of 45 along with 752 hospitalizations and 193 deaths of which 142 were hospitalized.

This week’s NCHD report labels Jasper County in the substantial spread category with Jasper showing a 29 percent increase in newly confirmed cases for residents between the week of June 15- June 28 and June 29-July 5.

For more information about Covid-19, including cases numbers, testing information and guidance, visit NCHD52.org/coronavirus, or use the Georgia Covid-19 Hotline by calling 844-442-2681.