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National and State Update-Ben Moser
Ben gave the following updates concerning the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state, and local news sources:
Washington Post:
- The United States surpassed 2 million coronavirus cases on Thursday, less than five months after the first known case was reported on American soil.
Wall Street Journal:
- U.S. stock futures recovered ground Friday, following the biggest rout in the American stock market since mid-March.
- Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2%, suggesting that the blue-chips index will recover some of its losses from Thursday’s 6.9% tumble. The pan continental Stoxx Europe 600 climbed 1%.
In Georgia:
- Atlanta Journal Constitution: Governor Brian Kemp scaled back more coronavirus restrictions Thursday by signing an order that lifts a shelter-in-place requirement for many older Georgians, clears the way for live entertainment venues to reopen and permits larger gatherings.
In Alabama:
- The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed nearly 850 new coronavirus cases in Alabama on Thursday, the highest single-day total to date. The new cases bring Alabama’s cumulative case total to nearly 22,500, with 13,500 presumed recoveries and 750 people having lost their lives to the virus.
Columbus Area Updates
Columbus Consolidated Government Update-Mayor Skip Henderson
Mayor Henderson gave the following updates:
- As of yesterday, total cases are 919 with 25 deaths in Muscogee County
- The hospitalization rate continues to climb; believe that it may have started to level off
- Hospitals are monitoring their resources and there is no present danger of running out
- The city is planning to reopen some of the recreational facilities for outdoor activities( i.e. baseball fields and soccer fields); social distancing is required and if residents desire to hold an organized event (i.e. practice or game) they will need to contact Parks and Recreation to make sure that their plan is consistent with the Governor’s orders
- The city is not reopening indoor recreational facilities at this point; will revisit this at the end of June
- Asking residents to continue to move around wisely
Department of Public Health (Columbus Health Department) Update-Jack Lockwood
Jack gave the following updates:
- Due to the weather, the Columbus Health Department will change testing hours. Starting Monday, hours will be 7:00am until 11:00am
- Individuals can go online to pre-register for testing to speed up the process, but this is not required. www.westcentralhealthdistirct.com
- This Saturday, June 13, 2020 the Columbus Health Department will conduct testing in Talbotton, Georgia (Talbot County) at the Central High School Sports Complex on School House Road off Hwy 208 from 9:00am until 12:00noon
- The case count in Muscogee County is 919; 502 in Sumter County and 240 in Crisp County
- The Columbus Health Department is starting their move to the new building on Veterans Parkway. They do not expect this to cause any disruption to the testing services that will continue at the Comer Avenue location
Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis
Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:
- Virtual summer school for high school continues through June 18, 2020; middle school begins on Monday through July 2, 2020
- This week continuing internal and external stakeholder group discussions to get input on the start of the 2020-2021 school year
Columbus Area Vulnerable Population Update
Home for Good Update-Pat Frey
Pat gave the following updates:
- Home for Good and the Continuum of Care hosted their initial Community Wide Landlord Engagement Meeting on yesterday. The purpose of the meeting was to engage landlords and plan on how to best help the most vulnerable in our community access safe and affordable housing. The group was small, but everyone was passionate. The meeting was recorded. See the attached link. https://youtu.be/t2EogD9Ntcw
Coronavirus Response Fund (Crisis Fund) Update-Betsy Covington
Betsy gave the following updates:
- After todays’ call the committee will start to work on next week’s grant request
- So far to date, the fund has awarded a total of $979, 683 in grants
- There continues to be significant need; will continue this work as long as it is needed to get through this crisis; please continue to support the fund as you are able to cfcv.com/coronavirus
- We will have a call the Monday, June 15, 2020 and then the call will be transitioning to a Wednesday only call beginning on Wednesday, June 17, 2020; the call time will remain at 10:00am
- If anyone has any suggestions about the format of the call, please email Betsy bcovington@cfcv.com or Ben bmoser@unitedwayofthecv.org
Open Forum Updates
Georgia Power Update-Lisa Smith
Lisa gave the following updates:
- Currently, Georgia Power is still not disconnecting services for residential customers due to COVID-19 and the impact that it has had
- Georgia Power has not disconnected any residential services since March; they will continue to operate this way until July 15, 2020 at which time they will transition back to their normal operating procedures
- They will work with customers who have developed high arrears by spreading payments out over several months
- Enrichment Services will be utilizing Georgia Power’s closed drive thru to service citizens while practicing social distancing; there will be a ribbon cutting today
St. Francis Emory Healthcare Update-Melody Trimble
Melody gave the following updates:
- They have seen a steady paced uptick over the last nine days; had a higher admit day yesterday
- However, they have been able to manage more patients on the clinical floor versus their critical care unit due to their conditions being less acute
- Trying to anticipate where the decline starts
- Services fully opened except for visitors; still evaluating
- Appreciates the support of the community
River Valley Area Agency on Aging Update-Katie Howard
- Katie gave the following updates:Thanked everyone for sending volunteers to help with the Meals on Wheels program and asked everyone to keep sending them
Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry Update-Martha Roberts
Martha gave the following updates:
- There are agencies including Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry that have received funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to help clients with utility assistance and this is helping clients not to get too far in arrears; very grateful for that
- The Emergency Food and Shelter program has been awarded and is being issued and includes rent, mortgage and utility assistance for Muscogee County Georgia and Russell County Alabama as well
- The best way to find out who is offering rent, mortgage and utility assistance is to contact 211
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley Update-Jennifer St John
Jennifer gave the following updates:
- Thanked Lisa for her update and Martha for her comments
- Thanked all service providers/agencies that provide financial assistance for doing more, doing what they do in new ways and working together in these difficult times