Coronavirus live updates: Third Fort Benning case, plus other COVID-19 news for March 25
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in the Chattahoochee Valley. Check back for updates.
Nearly 480 Benning personnel separated from peers amid COVID-19 concerns
After the third of Muscogee’s County four COVID-19 cases were tied to Fort Benning, military officials held a Facebook town hall to discuss how the novel coronavirus is change procedures at the installation.
Maj. Gen Gary Brito, Col. Matthew Scalia and Martin Army Community Hospital’s Col. Melissa Hoffman spoke for an hour Tuesday night to outline testing stats and changes.
As of March 24, Martin Army Community Hospital has taken samples from 32 people. Seven results have come back, and one of those samples tested positive. The hospital doesn’t have the ability to test for COVID-19, so the samples are sent to outside labs. None of the positive tests associated with Benning have come from active duty military, officials said.
Brito told the public about 480 personnel have separated themselves from their peers. Some of these people have symptoms associated with COVID-19. Others show no symptoms but are being cautious. Others have traveled internationally, Brito said.
“We do not have any positive COVID-19 cases in the training base right now,” Brito said. “I’m not going to be naive and say it won’t happen.”
Benning has implemented hours at its commissary and post exchange for medically at-risk people to shop. Those include the elderly, women who are pregnant or those with underlying medical conditions such as lung disease and asthma. Those hours are from 9 to 10 a.m.
Martin Army Community Hospital announced a COVID-19 hotline would be operational Tuesday. The number for the hotline is 762-408-2819.
This is the second COVID-19 townhall held by Benning, and officials said they’d like to give weekly updates.
A video of the full town hall can be found below:
Fort Benning announces third case
A Fort Benning employee has tested positive for COVID-19, spokesperson Nate Snook announced Tuesday.
This is the third case associated with the installation.
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare received the positive results March 22 from the Columbus Health Department. The individual had contact with a person who previously tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email from Snook.
Aldi, Publix, other grocery stores remaining open
Aldi at 6301 Veterans Parkway, Suite 500, is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week. Another Aldi location in Phenix City that was set to open in the spring has postponed its grand opening due to the coronavirus, according to Aldi’s website.
All Publix locations are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The store will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for seniors aged 65 and up to shop ahead of crowds.
For a full list of local stores staying open, click here.
Georgia surpasses 1,000 cases, 30 deaths
The Georgia Department of Public Health at 7 p.m. Tuesday confirmed 1,097 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up by 71 since noon.
Thirty-eight people have now died from the novel coronavirus in Georgia. Six new deaths were reported since noon on Tuesday.
City of LaGrange amends State of Emergency ordinance
The LaGrange City Council unanimously approved to amend its State of Emergency ordinance. This ordinance goes into effect Wednesday, March 25th at 5:00 p.m.
The amended ordinance includes the following amendments:
Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services.
Gyms, theaters, hair salons and other similar facilities must close and remain closed for the duration of this emergency.
Establishments such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail businesses which remain open during the emergency must post signage on entrance doors informing consumers to maintain at least six feet of personal distance between themselves and others.
All public and private gatherings of more than ten (10) people occurring outside of a household or living unit are prohibited.
The governing authority desires to make certain that the chain of authority within city management is clear. If the City Manager is unable to perform her duties, then the individual designated by the City Manager as the emergency interim successor pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-50 shall assume the duties of the City Manager. Should the emergency interim successor be unable to perform those duties the Mayor as Chief Executive Officer of the City shall assume those duties.
Boy Scouts, Red Cross hosting blood drive
The Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts of America has partnered with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at 1237 First Avenue on April 1 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Georgia cases continue to increase
The Georgia Department of Public Health at noon Wednesday confirmed 1,247 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up by 150 from 7 p.m. Tuesday
Forty people have now died from the novel coronavirus in Georgia. Two new deaths were reported overnight.
The Georgia Public Health Laboratory and private labs have conducted a total of 6,179 COVID-19 tests as of noon March 25. The state has tested 1,482 people. Private labs have tested 4,697, state officials said.
The state health department is now reporting the number of people hospitalized from COVID-19. As of noon Wednesday, that count was 394.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 8:57 AM.
