Saturday COVID-19 Report

The number of confirmed cases in Georgia currently is 2,446, the number of deaths reported is 79. There are 660 people hospitalized. The mortality rate is 3.23%.

56% of the cases are in the age group of 18 to 59, 35% are in the 60 and over group.

Fulton county has the highest number of cases at 378, Dougherty county has the highest number of deaths with 17.

Fayette has 26 with 3 deaths Coweta has 20 with 2 deaths, Spalding has 11, Upson has 5, Butts has 5, Monroe and Meriwether have 3 confirmed case each, Lamar has 2, Taylor and Pike have 1. There are 229 cases where the county of residence is unknown.

The Georgia Department of Health releases updated information daily at noon and 7 pm.
Story edited to reflect the 7 pm update.

Friday COVID-19 Report Georgia Department of Health

The number of confirmed cases in Georgia currently is 2,198, the number of deaths reported is 65. There are 607 people hospitalized. The mortality rate is 2.96%.

                  

COVID-19 Confirmed Cases By County:	No.   Cases	No. Deaths
Fulton	347	12
Dekalb	219	2
Dougherty	203	13
Cobb	163	5
Gwinnett	121	1
Bartow	107	1
Carroll	61	0
Clayton	53	1
Cherokee	50	1
Henry	44	1
Lee	37	5
Clarke	34	2
Douglas	32	1
Hall	30	0
Floyd	26	1
Fayette	22	2
Forsyth	21	1
Lowndes	20	1
Coweta	19	2
Rockdale	16	1
Chatham	15	0
Newton	15	0
Mitchell	14	0
Early	13	1
Paulding	13	0
Tift	13	0
Gordon	12	1
Bibb	11	0
Richmond	11	0
Spalding	11	0
Columbia	10	0
Houston	10	1
Oconee	10	0
Polk	10	0
Sumter	10	0
Troup	9	1
Barrow	7	1
Glynn	7	0
Laurens	7	0
Muscogee	7	0
Worth	7	1
Peach	6	0
Terrell	6	2
Whitfield	6	0
Bryan	5	0
Colquitt	5	0
Crisp	4	0
Effingham	4	0
Lumpkin	4	0
Pickens	4	1
Upson	4	0
Burke	3	0
Butts	3	0
Coffee	3	0
Decatur	3	0
Fannin	3	0
Irwin	3	0
Lincoln	3	0
Madison	3	0
Meriwether	3	0
Miller	3	0
Monroe	3	0
Randolph	3	0
Thomas	3	0
Baldwin	2	0
Ben Hill	2	0
Calhoun	2	0
Camden	2	0
Dawson	2	0
Jackson	2	0
Jasper	2	0
Jones	2	0
Lamar	2	0
Pulaski	2	0
Seminole	2	0
Stephens	2	0
Tattnall	2	0
Turner	2	0
Twiggs	2	0
Ware	2	0
Washington	2	0
Baker	1	1
Catoosa	1	0
Charlton	1	0
Chattahoochee	1	0
Chattooga	1	0
Clinch	1	0
Dodge	1	0
Franklin	1	0
Greene	1	0
Haralson	1	0
Harris	1	0
Hart	1	0
Heard	1	1
Liberty	1	0
Long	1	0
Macon	1	0
Mcduffie	1	0
Morgan	1	0
Pierce	1	0
Taylor	1	0
Toombs	1	0
White	1	0
Wilkes	1	0
Unknown	207	1
*Based on patient county of residence when known

City Of Thomaston COVID-19 Ordinance

ORDINANCE NO. 1127 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF THOMASTON, GEORGIA, TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY ARISING BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND TO TAKE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY MEASURES; AND FOR LIKE PURPOSES. 

*************** 

       WHEREAS, the President of the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency on March 13, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Georgia declared a State Public Health Emergency on March 14, 2020 and urged “local officials to do what's in the best interests of their communities to keep people safe and stop the spread of coronavirus" on March 19, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) a world health emergency and a pandemic; and

       WHEREAS, the number of confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 is escalating rapidly, internationally, nationally, and locally; and

       WHEREAS, based upon the experience of other local governments in Georgia, a growing number of other cases are likely to occur; and

       WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the President of the United States stated that any gathering of over 10 people should be discontinued or prohibited; and

       WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Kemp announced that "certain individuals with an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 to isolate, quarantine, or shelter in place," covering those who "live in long-term care facilities, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a positive COVID-19 test, are suspected to have COVID-19 because of their symptoms or exposure, or have been exposed to someone who has СOVID-19", and that the Department of Public Health would institute rules and regulations to implement such measures;

       WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Kemp additionally announced measures to "close all bars and nightclubs and ...ban all gatherings of ten or more people" unless they can assure spacing for at least six (6) feet apart between people at all times beginning at noon on March 24, 2020 and lasting until noon on April 6, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, public health experts, including those at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have advised that individuals infected with COVID-19 are contagious even while experiencing minor or no symptoms and implored leaders to take immediate action to prevent further community spread of COVID-19; and

       WHEREAS, preventing and slowing community spread of COVID-19 provides health systems additional time to obtain personal protective equipment necessary to protect health care workers and medical equipment necessary to treat COVID-19, and is therefore vital to the health of the nation;

       WHEREAS, in the judgment of the City of Thomaston, there exist emergency circumstances located within its jurisdiction requiring extraordinary and immediate response for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the community, the state, and the nation; and

       WHEREAS, it is essential for the governing authority of the City to act immediately in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent or minimize sickness, injury, or death, to people and damage to property resulting from this public health crisis; and

       WHEREAS, O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28 provides the political subdivisions of this state with the authority to make, amend, and rescind such orders, rules, and regulations as may be necessary for emergency management purposes to supplement rules and regulations promulgated by the Governor during a State of Emergency; and

       WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has previously held that “[u]pon the principle of self-defense, of paramount necessity, a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease which threatens the safety of its members"; and

       WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Thomaston provides the governing authority of the city with the authority to take actions deemed necessary to deal with such an emergency for the protection of the safety, health, and well-being of the citizens of the City; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DECLARED that a local state of emergency exists within the City and shall continue until the conditions requiring this declaration are abated.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED AND ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF THOMASTON AS FOLLOWS: 

Section 1. Findings of Fact

For purposes of describing the circumstances which warrant the adoption of an emergency ordinance, the governing authority of the city hereby adopt and make the findings included in the “WHEREAS” clauses as findings of fact.

Section 2. Declaration of Public Health State of Emergency

The City Council hereby declares a public health state of emergency within the city because of the proliferation of COVID-19 in the United States and the State of Georgia, which will remain in force and effect until April 6, 2020 at 12:00 O'clock P.M. unless extended by further action of Mayor and City Council. Unless otherwise specified in this Ordinance, the provisions of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the declared emergency.

Section 3. Utility Services

Until April 6, 2020, unless extended by Mayor and City Council, the City will not disconnect any public utility service provided by the City on account of non-payment. After April 6, 2020, persons will have a period of thirty (30) days to make such payments before service may be disconnected.

Section 4. Classification of City Services

For the duration of the declared emergency, the City Manager shall be vested with the following discretion and authority, to wit:

(a) To categorize City services as either "required" or "discretionary," and to periodically review and modify such categories.

(b) To assign specific employees to required or discretionary services, and to periodically review and modify such assignments.

(c) To use his or her discretion to permit employees to telework.

(c) To temporarily suspend the provision of discretionary services and to direct employees who provide discretionary services not to report to work until such time as the service suspension is lifted or until such time as the City Manager redirects the employee to other services.

(d) To contract for and expend non-budgeted sums and services, as may in his or her discretion be required to meet the demands upon government and services of the City for the duration of the declared emergency, including therein authority to spend such sums from the reserves of the City. Any such non-budgeted expenditures shall be reported to the governing authority of the City.

(e) To maintain, to the best of the ability of the resources of the City, the provision of essential services, which shall include, but not be limited to, public safety, public works, healthcare, and building permits.

Section 5. Eating Establishments

With respect to restaurants and other eating and dining establishments regulated by the Governor's Declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency, as amended and modified, if a restaurant is licensed to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption, such restaurant, during the effective dates of this ordinance only, shall be authorized to sell unopened bottles or cans of beer or wine for take-out consumption off-premises;

Section 6. Procurement

For any matters of less than $100,000.00, the governing authority hereby suspends the bid and competitive portions of the City's Procurement Policy or ordinances and authorize the City Manager to utilize the single-source policy and to require departments to provide a written justification for the procurement during the effective dates of this Ordinance and/or utilize any emergency procurement provisions contained. City officials shall continue to seek the best prices during the state of emergency.

Section 7 

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Declaration are hereby suspended during the effective dates of this Declaration (or any extension thereof) and the terms and provisions of this Declaration shall prevail.

This Ordinance after adoption by the Council and upon approval by the Mayor shall become effective immediately.

COVID-19 Resolution By The City Of Thomaston

Resolution 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THOMASTON, GA DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY ARISING BECAUSE OF COVID-19. 

       WHEREAS, the President of the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency on March 13, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Georgia declared a State Public Health Emergency on March 14, 2020 and urged “local officials to do what's in the best interests of their communities to keep people safe and stop the spread of coronavirus" on March 19, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a world health emergency and a pandemic; and

       WHEREAS, the number of confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 is escalating rapidly, internationally, nationally, and locally; and

       WHEREAS, based upon the experience of other local governments in Georgia, a growing number of other cases are likely to occur; and

       WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the President of the United States stated that any gathering of over 10 people should be discontinued or prohibited; and

       WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Kemp announced that "certain individuals with an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 to isolate, quarantine, or shelter in place," covering those who “live in long-term care facilities, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a positive COVID-19 test, are suspected to have COVID-19 because of their symptoms or exposure, or have been exposed to someone who has СOVID-19”, and that the Department of Public Health would institute rules and regulations to implement such measures;

       WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Kemp additionally announced measures to "close all bars and nightclubs and ...ban all gatherings of ten or more people" unless they can assure spacing for at least six (6) feet apart between people at all times beginning at noon on March 24, 2020 and lasting until noon on April 6, 2020; and

       WHEREAS, public health experts, including those at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have advised that individuals infected with COVID-19 are contagious even while experiencing minor or no symptoms and implored leaders to take immediate action to prevent further community spread of COVID-19; and

       WHEREAS, preventing and slowing community spread of COVID-19 provides health systems additional time to obtain personal protective equipment necessary to protect health care workers and medical equipment necessary to treat COVID-19, and is therefore vital to the health of the nation;

       WHEREAS, in the judgment of the City of Thomaston, there exist emergency circumstances located within its jurisdiction requiring extraordinary and immediate response for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the community, the state, and the nation; and

       WHEREAS, it is essential for the governing authority of the City to act immediately in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent or minimize sickness, injury, or death, to people and damage to property resulting from this public health crisis, and

       WHEREAS, O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28 provides the political subdivisions of this state with the authority to make, amend, and rescind such orders, rules, and regulations as may be necessary for emergency management purposes to supplement rules and regulations promulgated by the Governor during a State of Emergency; and

       WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has previously held that "upon the self-defense, of paramount necessity, a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease which threatens the safety of its members"and

       WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Thomaston provides the governing authority of the city with the authority to take actions deemed necessary to deal with such an emergency for the protection of the safety, health, and well-being of the citizens of the city; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DECLARED that a local state of emergency exists within the City and shall continue until the conditions requiring this declaration are abated.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED AND ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THOMASTON AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Findings of Fact

For purposes of describing the circumstances which warrant the adoption of an emergency ordinance, the governing authority of the city hereby adopt and make the findings included in the "WHEREAS” clauses as findings of fact.

Section 2. Declaration of Public Health State of Emergency

The City Council hereby declares a public health state of emergency within the city because of the proliferation of COVID-19 in the United States and the State of Georgia, which will remain in force and effect until April 6, 2020 at 12:00 O'clock P.M. unless extended by further action of Mayor and City Council.

Section 3. Public Gatherings on City Property

For the duration of the declared emergency, there shall be no public gatherings on any property owned or controlled by the City. To avoid confusion, the following definitions shall apply under this Section: a "public gathering” shall mean the organized gathering or assembly of ten (10) or more persons at a specific location; “property owned or controlled by the City” shall include any park, public square, public space, playground, recreational area, or similar place of public gathering, but nothing herein shall prohibit individuals or families from using sidewalks or designated pedestrian areas of parks for walking or other exercise if they are not participating in an organized gathering. 

Section 4. Eating Establishments

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. Patrons, employees and contractors of the establishments must maintain at least six (6) feet of personal distance between themselves and others. 

Section 5. Personal Distance

All other establishments not covered in Section 7 of this Ordinance such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other businesses which remain open during the emergency must post signage on entrance doors informing consumers to maintain at least six (6) feet of personal distance between themselves and others and shall not allow more than ten (10) people into such establishment at any one time if such social distancing cannot be maintained. 

Section 6. Gatherings

All public and private gatherings of more than ten (10) people occurring outside of a household or living unit are prohibited. Nothing in this ordinance, however, prohibits the gathering of individuals for the purposes of carrying on business certified as "essential" by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-58 or designated by the Governor as "critical infrastructure" or the provision of medical or health services.

GA DOT ALERT ZEBULON SQUARE

Crews with a project to resurface the asphalt on US 19/Georgia 3 in Upson, Pike and Spalding Counties will be starting the project in the Zebulon Square area next week, Monday, Mar. 30 through Friday, Apr. 3, 2020 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day.

Two teams will be milling up the old asphalt and paving Georgia 3, working in both the northbound and southbound lanes simultaneously, and will also be at times extending into Jackson Street and Georgia 18/Barnesville Street/Concord Street.

MEETINGS CANCELLED IN PIKE CO

Due to CDC guidelines regarding public gatherings, the following meetings have been cancelled for the month of April from the office of Planning & Development:

April 9th, 2020 – Planning Commission – NO MEETING

April 16th, 2020 – Board of Appeals – NO MEETING

All pending agenda items will be postponed until it is possible to gather for a regularly scheduled meeting. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at 770-567-2007.

T-U SCHOOLS STUDENT MEALS

Effective Tuesday, March 31, TU meal distribution service is changing to a 1-site, drive-through service. 

Upson-Lee High School will be the single site for meal pick-ups. Pick-up time will remain from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. 

This decision was made after much thought and discussion about the risks associated with the student meal distribution program. Due to the huge risk factors involved in a 14-site distribution process, we are taking steps to minimize the risk to everyone. Thank you in advance for your understanding and your support of our efforts to ensure that our students receive their meals in the safest, possible way for everyone involved.

As a result of Governor Brian Kemp's mandate that all schools remain closed through Friday, April 24, all events scheduled at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center through Sunday, April 26, have been canceled. 

The UL Fine Arts Center will reopen when the Thomaston-Upson School System reopens.

DISTRICT 4 DPH REPORTS 2 CASES COVID-19 IN UPSON CO

DISTRICT 4 PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS TWO CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN  UPSON  COUNTY, ZERO IN  PIKE, 3  IN LAMAR, 11 IN  SPALDING, 3 IN MERIWETHER, 1  IN  TAYLOR,  3 IN  MONROE COUNTY, 3 IN  BUTTS  COUNTY, 19 IN  COWETA  COUNTY,  19 IN FAYETTE.

City Of Thomaston Utility Disconnects

The City of Thomaston appreciates the patience and perseverance of our citizens during this unique time. In accordance with measures directed by the Mayor and Council: 

Utility disconnections shall be suspended from March 27, 2020 through May 6, 2020. 

After such time all balances shall be due and payable. 

The city of Thomaston understands the burden placed on families at this time and we sympathize with the community. We hope our actions will help ease the hardship for the coming months. We appreciate our citizens and know they  will do their part to continue to pay the utility bills responsibly and timely.

For the safety of our employees and their families, the City/County Administrative building is only open to the public by pre-scheduled appointments only. Appointments can be obtained by calling City Hall at 706-647-4242 extension 4 or the Finance Department at 706-647-6633 extension 1. 

We continue to accept utility payments through the drop box, phone and web based payments, bank draft and by mail. Obviously, mail in payments are the most convenient. Third party credit card processing fees charged on credit card payments made using our on-line services or phone services will be temporarily paid by the City of Thomaston. If paying by credit card online, please visit www.cityofthomaston.com.

The City of Thomaston continues to monitor the current coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and to maintain communications with the Upson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Georgia  Department of Public Health (DPH) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Please visit the City of Thomaston website at www.cityofthomaston.com for up-to-date information and to access online City services. The City of Thomaston will also post updates to Facebook. 

LATEST CASE UPDATE DISTRICT 4 DPH

DISTRICT 4 GA. PUBLIC  HEALTH  REPORTS  ONE  CONFIRMED  CASE OF  THE  CORONA VIRUS  IN  UPSON  COUNTY.A  2ND  CASE  LISTED COULD  BE A DUPLICATION.

ZERO IN  PIKE  ,  11  IN  SPALDING, 3 IN  LAMAR, 3  IN MERIWETHER, 3  IN  MONROE, ONE  IN  TAYLOR,  3 IN  BUTTS,  19 IN  COWETA,  19  IN FAYETTE

SPALDING BOC DECLARES EMERGENCY OVER COVID-19

 TO  DEAL  WITH  THE  CORONAVIRUS-- THURSDAY  THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS  VOTED TO  DECLARE  A   STATE   OF  EMERGENCY   AND  ENACTED  THE  SAME  CURFEW  AS  THE  CITY  OF  GRIFFIN  9 PM  TO  5 AM  STARTING  FRIDAY  AT  9 PM.

IT  PASSED ON  A   3-1  VOTE  WITH  COMMISSIONER  JAMES  DUTTON AGAINST. DUTTON  CHARGED IT  WAS  AN  OVER-REACTION--HE  CALLED  IT  THEATRE--EXPLAINING  THIS  WILL  ALL  BE  OVER  IN  2  WEEKS.

COUNTY  MANAGER  WILLIAM  WILSON JR. SAID  DETAILS  ARE  BEING  WORKED-OUT  BUT  ITS  EXPECTED  IT  WILL  BE  SIMILAR  TO  THE  DECLARATION   PASSED  BY  GRIFFIN  COMMISSIONERS.

Thursday COVID-19 Update

The number of confirmed cases in Georgia currently is 1,643, the number of deaths reported is 56. There are 509 people hospitalized. The mortality rate is 3.41%.

57% of the cases are in the age group of 18 to 59, 35% are in the 60 and over group.

Fulton county now has 231 cases, Spalding has 11, Butts, Lamar, Monroe and Meriwether counties all have 3 confirmed case each, Taylor has 1. There are 178 cases where the county of residence is unknown.

The Georgia Department of Health releases updated information daily at noon and 7 pm.
Story edited to reflect the 7 pm update.