Live updates: Fort Benning makes changes due to COVID-19, plus other news for March 18
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in the Chattahoochee Valley. Check back for updates.
GMC closes to students
Georgia Military College will close its 14 campuses, Prep School, and Corps of Cadets as of Wednesday, March 18, through March 31.
During that time, students will take classes online, while faculty and staff will work from home.
Alabama reports two new coronavirus cases in Lee County
There are now three cases of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in Lee County, Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
The first case was confirmed by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The person that contracted COVID-19 is an East Alabama Medical Center employee in Opelika.
Alabama’s current case count stands at 39. There are currently no deaths associated with COVID-19 in the state.
No coronavirus cases at Fort Benning, but changes are coming
No Fort Benning personnel have tested positive for the new coronavirus, but all five schools on the installation will close Wednesday.
As of March 17, 10 personnel have been tested for COVID-19. So far, none of the samples have tested positive.
Military personnel have been quarantined or isolated over COVID-19 concerns. As of March 17, 61 were separated from their peers in some manner. Some are isolated, meaning people with symptoms are separated from those who are healthy, officials said.
CSU cancels commencement
Due to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as guidance from the Governor’s Office and the University System of Georgia (USG), Columbus State University’s Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies will not occur as originally scheduled.
“We are deeply proud of our students and there are few experiences that are as important to them — and us — than celebrating their graduation together. We understand this is disappointing news, but we are exploring some creative options to celebrate the hard work and educational accomplishments of the CSU Class of 2020 in the near future,” President Chris Markwood said.
CSU was scheduled to conduct three ceremonies on May 15 and 16 in the Lumpkin Center but due to USG and CDC directives to avoid large gatherings, Columbus State is working to create some innovative ceremony options that will be announced in the coming weeks.
Number of cases in Georgia nears 200
The Georgia Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed 197 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up by 51 from Tuesday’s count.
A majority of the confirmed cases are in the Atlanta metro area. Of the confirmed cases, 39% are ages 60 and older, and 43% percent are between the ages of 18 and 59. One person who tested positive for the new coronavirus in Georgia has died since the disease was found here.
Southwest Georgia hospital reports 2 deaths
The first COVID-19 deaths in southwest Georgia have been reported to the state.
Wednesday morning, Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany received 14 test results, including 13 positives. Two of those patients, who were being cared for at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, have died.
The hospital has had 23 positive results, with more than 330 individuals awaiting test results at home. Phoebe received 13 positive test results on Wednesday alone.
Columbus-area health department gets first set of coronavirus tests
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s West Central Health District received its first set of COVID-19 tests Wednesday morning, spokesperson Pamela Kirkland told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Currently, the health district has the ability to test between 20 and 30 people. It’s unclear when another shipment of those supplies will come, she said.
The department oversees 16 counties in the Columbus area: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor and Webster.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 9:04 AM.