Coronavirus updates: Health department receives more tests, plus other news for March 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in the Chattahoochee Valley. Check back for updates.
Coronavirus tests and Muscogee County’s first case
The state health district charged with covering a 16-county area surrounding Columbus received 25 test collection kits Friday after running out Thursday.
The department ran out after testing more than 30 people combined on Wednesday and Thursday before exhausting its stock. It did not expect to receive more on Friday, but a private lab was able to send 25 kits.
The department, which covers Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor and Webster counties, got its first kits Wednesday.
Muscogee County also saw its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Thursday. The patient is currently being treated at St. Francis.
LaGrange under state of emergency
The LaGrange Mayor and City Council have declared a state of emergency for the next 60 days.
Among other measures, public gatherings on public property owned or controlled by the City of LaGrange including any park, public square, public space, playground, recreational area or similar place of public gathering are prohibited.
This does not includes sidewalks, The Thread or designated pedestrian areas of parks for walking or other exercise where no organized gathering is occurring. Most city buildings are now closed to the public.
Feeding the Valley changes location for Mobile Pantry Food Distribution
The location for the Mobile Pantry food distribution scheduled for this Saturday has been changed to Cascade Hills Church at 727 54th Street from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This mobile pantry is for Georgia residents and is for drive-up clients only. Because of health and safety precautions for volunteers, those who are not in a vehicle cannot be served.
Clients must open their vehicle trunks or doors at a designated area away from the volunteer assembly area in the parking lot.
This mobile pantry is served by The Community Warriors volunteers, Cascade Hills Church and Feeding the Valley.
CSU to admit students without SAT, ACT scores
Columbus State announced Friday that it will admit students applying for summer and fall 2020 semesters without an ACT or SAT score, if they have a sufficiently high GPA.
Death toll in Georgia rises
The Georgia Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed 420 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up by 133 from Thursday’s count. Thirteen people have now died from the novel coronavirus in Georgia.
The Georgia Public Health Laboratory and private labs have conducted a total of 2,386 COVID-19 tests as of March 20. The state has tested 704 people. Private labs have tested 1,682, state officials said.
Muscogee County remains at one coronavirus case while another local Georgia county sees its first
Muscogee County remained at one positive coronavirus case Friday while another west-central county saw its first confirmed case.
Randolph County reported one positive COVID-19 case, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s daily update. It contains the city of Cuthbert, about 57 miles south of Columbus.
5 hotels, 2 restaurants in Columbus temporarily close
Five hotels and two restaurants in Columbus are temporarily closing amid the coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19.
Valley Hospitality announced Friday the following properties are closed until further notice:
- Columbus Marriott
- SpringHill Suites Columbus
- Courtyard Columbus
- Hampton Inn North Columbus
- DoubleTree by Hilton Columbus
- Both of its Houlihan’s restaurant locations.
RiverCenter extends suspension dates
RiverCenter announced Friday that it will extend its suspension of events through April 13.
RiverCenter’s lobby is closed to the public. Employees are working remotely to provide continuation of services. The box office remains open for phone and email transactions, but out of concern for the health of patrons and staff, has discontinued in-person transactions until the threat of COVID-19 has passed.
In addition to the extended period of event suspension, the previously scheduled dates for Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s two day educational residency with schools and other civic organizations on April 14 and 15, and public performance on April 16 will be rescheduled at a date yet to be determined.
All tickets issued for the April 16 Complexions performance will be honored for the rescheduled performance. The box office will be in touch with all ticket holders as soon new dates are confirmed and will discuss options with patrons at that time.
MCoE, Fort Benning to limit installation access
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Trusted Traveler Program has been suspended and installation access is limited to those with military ID, common access cardholders, retiree ID and those who have an Automated Installation Entry card.
People visiting trainees and permanent party residents, people who want to golf or use the post recreational activities and people who want to eat atone of the restaurants are prohibited from entering the installation. There are some exceptions.
Currently babysitters, nannies or au pairs, deliveries, commercial trucks, buses, VA clinic patrons, moving trucks and personal medical services can still access the installation; however, all visitors without military ID or an AIE must stop at a visitor control center.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 9:35 AM.
