FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 4:30 P.M.

On Monday, April 20, Governor Kemp issued Executive Order 04.20.20.01 for a “Phased Re-opening” of the State. In part, the order states that beginning Friday, April 24, 2020, the following businesses may begin in-person Minimum Basic Operations: All gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, estheticians, hair designers, and massage therapists. Additionally, on Monday, April 27, 2020, all theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen subject to social distancing and sanitation mandates. However, it should be noted that the Shelter-in-Place Order is still active and will not expire until April 30, 2020 at 11:59 P.M. The Order goes on to state that medically fragile and elderly Georgians should continue to Shelter-in-Place through at least May 13, 2020.

Augusta University launched a free COVID-19 virtual screening telemedicine app as part of their comprehensive plan to screen, test, and treat Georgia residents. The app can be accessed 24/7 and will allow you the ability to talk with a healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19. You can download the app on any smartphone by visiting the Google Play or Apple App Store and typing in AU HEALTH EXPRESSCARE. The app is free to download and the virtual screening is also free. The healthcare professional that you speak with will screen you for COVID-19. If you meet the necessary criteria for in-person testing, you will be directed to a testing site closest to your location. Use of the App is the preferred method, but if you do not have a smartphone you may call 706-721-1852 for screening. You may also call the GDPH direct patient screening line at 706-340-0996 Monday – Friday from 8am to 7pm and on Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm.

Again, the preferred method is to utilize the AU HEALTH EXPRESSCARE app at no cost.

People should not arrive unannounced or without a scheduled appointment at a specimen collection site, hospital, emergency room or other health care facility.

As of noon today, the data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) reports 19,881 cases of COVID-19 throughout 157 counties across the state. GDPH is reporting twenty-two (22) cases of COVID-19 in Morgan County. Please continue to take all steps necessary to comply with Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 16, 2020, 8:00 P.M.

As of 7:00 P.M., the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) is reporting 16,368 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout 157 counties across the state. The reported case count of COVID-19 in Morgan County has increased to nineteen (19). It is important that you continue to follow Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order which has been extended through April 30, 2020.

Additionally, GDPH is increasing the number of specimen collection sites statewide for COVID-19 testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to accommodate more testing of Georgia residents.

Effective immediately, all symptomatic individuals will be eligible for COVID-19 testing. Health care workers, first responders, law enforcement and long-term care facility residents and staff will still be prioritized for testing regardless of whether they are or are not symptomatic.

Individuals who meet COVID-19 testing criteria may now be referred to GDPH specimen collection sites by contacting their local health department. They will be screened by appropriate health department staff and referred to the closest, most convenient specimen collection site. Additionally, health care providers and/or physicians can and should continue to refer patients for COVID-19 testing.

People should not arrive unannounced or without a scheduled appointment at a specimen collection site, hospital, emergency room or other health care facility.

Morgan County residents who are symptomatic may also call the new direct patient screening line at 706-340-0996 Monday – Friday from 8am to 7pm and on Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 4:15 P.M.

At approximately 4:15 P.M. today, Governor Kemp extended the Shelter-in-Place Order through Thursday, April 30, 2020. Additionally, the Governor has suspended all short-term vacation rentals in the state beginning on Thursday, April 9th through Thursday, April 30, 2020.

As of 12:30 P.M. today, the data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) reports 9,901 cases of COVID-19 throughout 155 counties across the state. GDPH is reporting twelve (12) cases of COVID-19 in Morgan County. Please continue to take all steps necessary to comply with Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order. You are required to remain within your home unless you are conducting or participating in the following: essential services, minimum basic operations for business, or part of the workforce for critical infrastructure. Also, remember to wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 12:00 P.M.

Earlier this morning, Governor Kemp announced plans to extend Georgia’s public health state of emergency through May 13, 2020. This order was signed on March 14, 2020 and in part, allows the State to “continue to deploy resources to communities in need, lend support to frontline medical providers, and keep preparing as we brace for potential patient surge in our healthcare facilities”. The extension of the public health state of emergency does not change the current Shelter-in-Place Order which became effective on Friday, April 3, 2020 and is set to expire on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 11:59 P.M unless the Governor takes additional action. If the Shelter-in-Place order is extended, local officials will notify the community as soon as this information becomes available.

As of noon today, the data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) reports 9,881 cases of COVID-19 throughout 155 counties across the state. GDPH is reporting twelve (12) cases of COVID-19 in Morgan County. Please continue to take all steps necessary to comply with Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order. You are required to remain within your home unless you are conducting or participating in the following: essential services, minimum basic operations for business, or part of the workforce for critical infrastructure. If you are in need of additional information regarding the shelter-in-place order, please visit morgancountyga.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the link Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Executive Order 04-02-2020. Also, remember to wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson, and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden will give a briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m. The briefing will be live streamed at facebook.com/GovKemp or gpb.org/coronavirus.

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 8:30 P.M.

According to the latest data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) there are 9,156 cases of COVID-19 throughout 155 counties across the state. GDPH is reporting ten (10) cases of COVID-19 in Morgan County. Please continue to take all steps necessary to comply with Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order. You are required to remain within your home unless you are conducting or participating in the following: essential services, minimum basic operations for business, or part of the workforce for critical infrastructure. If you are in need of additional information regarding the shelter-in-place order, please visit morgancountyga.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the link Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Executive Order 04-02-2020. Also, remember to wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson, and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden will give a briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m. The briefing will be live streamed at facebook.com/GovKemp or gpb.org/coronavirus.

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, April 5, 2020, 7:30 P.M.

Late this afternoon, local officials have been advised that a sixth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Morgan County. Questions have been raised that this additional case does not match the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) daily status report which is currently reporting two (2) for Morgan County. Local officials have been advised that the GDPH daily status report may be backlogged in reporting county specific data. As of 7:00 P.M., GDPH is reporting 6,742 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout 149 counties across the state. Again, the reported case count of COVID-19 in Morgan County has increased to six (6).

Please keep in mind that Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order became effective at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 3, 2020. You are required to remain within your home unless you are conducting or participating in the following: essential services, minimum basic operations for business, or part of the workforce for critical infrastructure. If you are in need of additional information regarding the shelter-in-place order, please visit morgancountyga.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the link Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Executive Order 04-02-2020.

Local officials continue to ask everyone in the Morgan County community to do your part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our area by doing the following: comply with the “Shelter-in-Place” order; wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Remember, together we can make a difference!

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia – Government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, April 4, 2020, 7:00 P.M.

Late this afternoon, local officials have been advised that a fifth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Morgan County. Questions have been raised that this additional case(s) does not match the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) daily status report which is currently reporting two (2) for Morgan County. Local officials have been advised that the GDPH daily status report may be backlogged in reporting county specific data. As of 7:00 P.M., GDPH is reporting 6,383 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout 148 counties across the state. Again, the reported case count of COVID-19 in Morgan County has increased to five (5).

Please keep in mind that the Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order became effective at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 3, 2020. Please review basic highlights of the order below:

All residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are required to shelter in place within their homes or places of residence and taking every possible precaution to limit social interaction to prevent the spread or infection of COVID-19 to themselves or any other person unless they are:

1. Conducting or participating in Essential Services
2. Performing Necessary Travel
3. Are engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, the performance of Minimum Basic Operations for a business or organization not classified as Critical Infrastructure
4. Are part of the workforce for Critical Infrastructure and are actively engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, their respective employment

The order defines Essential Services as:

1. Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence. Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery, and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping
2. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services
3. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities so long as a minimum distance of six (6) feet is maintained during such activities between all persons who are not occupants of the same household or residence

Local officials continue to ask everyone in the Morgan County community to do your part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our area by doing the following: comply with the “Shelter-in-Place” order; wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Remember, together we can make a difference!

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 3, 2020, 8:30 P.M.

Earlier today, local officials reported that a fourth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Morgan County. Questions have been raised that this additional case does not match the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) daily status report. Local officials have been advised that the GDPH daily status report may be backlogged in reporting county specific data. As of 7:00 P.M., there are currently 5,967 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout 147 counties across the state. Again, the reported case count of COVID-19 in Morgan County has increased to four (4).

Please keep in mind that the Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order became effective at 6:00 P.M. today. Please review basic highlights of the order below:

All residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are required to shelter in place within their homes or places of residence and taking every possible precaution to limit social interaction to prevent the spread or infection of COVID-19 to themselves or any other person unless they are:

1. Conducting or participating in Essential Services
2. Performing Necessary Travel
3. Are engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, the performance of Minimum Basic Operations for a business or organization not classified as Critical Infrastructure
4. Are part of the workforce for Critical Infrastructure and are actively engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, their respective employment

The order defines Essential Services as:

1. Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence. Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery, and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping
2. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services
3. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities so long as a minimum distance of six (6) feet is maintained during such activities between all persons who are not occupants of the same household or residence

Local officials continue to ask everyone in the Morgan County community to do your part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our area by doing the following: comply with the “Shelter-in-Place” order; wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Remember, together we can make a difference!

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 3, 2020, 11:00 A.M.

This morning, local officials have been advised that Morgan County now has an additional case COVID-19 in our community. With notice of this additional case, Morgan County now has four (4) confirmed cases of COVID-19. This additional case may not match the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) daily status report due to be released at noon today. Local officials have been advised that the GDPH daily status report may be backlogged in reporting county specific data. No additional information is available regarding this case.

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia - Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 2, 2020, 8:00 P.M.

Earlier today, local officials reported that a third case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Morgan County. Questions have been raised that this additional case does not match the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) daily status report. Local officials have been advised that the GDPH daily status report may be backlogged in reporting county specific data. As of 7:00 P.M., there are currently 5,444 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout 143 counties across the state. Again, the reported case count of COVID-19 in Morgan County has increased to three (3).

Additionally, Governor Kemp has issued guidance related to the “Shelter-in-Place” order. In part the order reads:

“That all residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are required to shelter in place within their homes or places of residence and taking every possible precaution to limit social interaction to prevent the spread or infection of COVID-19 to themselves or any other person unless they are: 1. Conducting or participating in Essential Services; 2. Performing Necessary Travel; 3. Are engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, the performance of Minimum Basic Operations for a business establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organization not classified as Critical Infrastructure; or, 4. Are part of the workforce for Critical Infrastructure and are actively engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, their respective employment.” The order defines Essential Services as: “1. Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence. Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery, and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping; 2. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services; 3. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities so long as a minimum distance of six (6) feet is maintained during such activities between all persons who are not occupants of the same household or residence.”

The Order becomes effective at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 3, 2020 and expires at 11:59 P.M. on Monday, April 13, 2020. The Governor’s full order and guidance defining “essential critical infrastructure workforce” will be available for review at www.morgancountyga.gov.

Local officials continue to ask everyone in the Morgan County community to do your part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our area by doing the following: comply with the “Shelter-in-Place” order; wash your hands often with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Remember, together we can make a difference!

If you have a question related to COVID-19, the State of Georgia has created a hotline at 844-442-2681.

In order to get the most up-to-date information consider signing up for county alerts at our official webpage at www.morgancountyga.gov, follow us on Twitter @Morgan_GA, or like us on Facebook at Morgan County Georgia - Government