Columbus officials will ‘remain vigilant’ as concern over coronavirus outbreak grows

Local leaders called a press conference Friday to discuss how Columbus is handling the Novel Coronavirus outbreak.

Mayor Skip Henderson, joined by Sheriff Donna Tompkins and other local leaders, wants Columbus and Phenix City residents to know that despite not having any immediate threats, local agencies are doing everything they can to prepare in case of an outbreak.

“Bottom line, there’s nothing to worry about right now in Columbus, Georgia, but we are going to remain vigilant,” Henderson said.

According to the CDC, reports of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, began popping up in late 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Since it has emerged, more than 50 locations worldwide have individuals suffering from the virus.

Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, the CDC said. Dr. Beverley Townsend, District Health Director for the West Central Health District, said there’s no reported cases of COVID-19 in the state of Georgia, but that residents should still practice preventative measures to stay as safe as they can.

“We want to use the same preventative strategies for cold and flu season that everyone normally uses for this,” Townsend said.

Henderson said that officials at Fort Benning are also monitoring the health statuses of soldiers and other workers and residents on post.

Contact between public departments and agencies around Columbus will likely continue until the height of the outbreak is over, Henderson said. Members will be communicating through an email group and regular meetings, as well as a weekly conference call.

“We’re going to be in constant contact just so that we can stay in contact with Dr. Townsend and her folks,” Henderson said.

For more information on the COVID-19 virus, visit the CDC’s website.