Chatuge Regional Hospital is COVID-19 free, vaccine appointments

HIAWASSEE, Ga – Announced during the March commission meeting, Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw relayed to the public that Towns County and Chatuge Regional Hospital appear to have zero new COVID-19 cases.

Julia Barnett, chief nursing officer at Union General Health Systems, confirmed with the commissioner that Chatuge Regional Hospital had zero in-patient COVID cases. Recently, Chatuge Regional was transitioned back to a “clean” hospital, and all COVID-19 patients are being taken to Union General Hospital.

Towns EMA Director told Bradshaw that the most recent state update stated zero new cases in Towns. According to the DPH report, covering the week of March 6 to 12, only four new cases were reported in the county. The 30-day case average in Towns dropped to one beginning on March 7, 2021.

“The numbers are definitely flattening if you’re paying attention to it. The vaccines are out. It’s making a difference, hopefully by mid to late summer we can start to meet together and do our different functions throughout the county,” Bradshaw said.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Residents can receive their vaccine from the Towns County Health Department by appointment and if they qualify. As of March 15, Governor Brian Kemp lowered the age to 55 or older and those 16 or older with high-risk conditions, including Asthma, Cancer, Cerebrovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Condition, Immunocompromised State, Liver Disease, Neurologic Conditions, Overweight and Obesity, Pregnancy, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Thalassemia. Parents and caregivers of those high-risk individuals can sign up for the vaccine.

The health department nurses will be at Foster Park providing vaccines for most of the week and at the office on Friday.

Foster Park

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Health Department

Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

To make an appointment call 706-896-2265 or visit District 2’s website.

On Saturday, March 14, District 2 Public Health reached a milestone of 100,567 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered. Supply of the vaccine was very limited in December and early January. As the supply of the vaccine improved, the 13-county health departments have given an average of over 11,000 per week for the past eight-week period.