BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – All of North Georgia now has at least one Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed COVID-19 case. DPH is also responsible for notifying individuals who encountered COVID-19 patients so they can isolate or receive testing. After a lab relays a positive test to DPH, “local epidemiologist or public health nurse will […]
Read More »Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests temporarily shuts down additional recreation areas
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily shutting down additional recreation sites on the Chattahoochee National Forest to protect public health and safety. The decision aligns with state and local measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “We continually consult leaders in our communities, in […]
Read More »Gov. Kemp Provides Overview of Federal Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp provided an overview of the recommendations President Trump and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes. Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, nursing […]
Read More »Gov. Kemp and UGA Provide Overview of CARES Act Funding
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provided an overview of the funding allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This critical funding will help small businesses keep workers employed during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Through the University of Georgia’s 17 […]
Read More »Gov. Kemp, DCH Announce Approval of 1135 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® Waiver
Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Georgia’s section 1135 waiver request on the temporary checklist, granting the state a number of flexibilities for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® providers and members to combat the COVID-19 […]
Read More »Georgia DPH adjusts COVID-19 models to include asymptomatic transmission
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As of April 1, Georgia had 4,748 cases and 20,328 completed COVID-19 tests, but Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has only tested symptomatic and high-risk patients. As a result, some cases have gone undiagnosed across Georgia. Currently, DPH is following CDC guidelines, which still states online that not everyone needs to […]
Read More »Union General Hospital gives notice of positive COVID-19 case
PRESS RELEASE – Union General Hospital is providing notice to the public that it received its first report of a positive case of COVID-19 that is being cared for as an inpatient at our facility. This individual was admitted late during the evening of Tuesday, March 31, 2020. The patient was isolated in accordance with […]
Read More »Kemp, Carden deploy soldiers to fight COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
Atlanta, GA – Over the next few weeks, Governor Brian P. Kemp and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden will activate and deploy over 100 Guardsmen to any long-term care facility – assisted living facility or nursing home – with COVID-19 cases. The Governor and Adjutant General will send troops to specific locations to implement […]
Read More »UPDATE: Ralston sends another letter to Raffensperger regarding Georgia Primary
UPDATE: April 8, 2020 ATLANTA, Ga – After announcing his support of extending the Public Health State of Emergency through May 13, House Speaker David Ralston has again asked Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to move the Georgia Primary to June 16. Ralston has been very vocal about moving the election until Georgia can […]
Read More »Kemp, Williams: Officials Will Enforce Social Distancing at Parks, Lakes
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp joined Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams to issue the following joint statement: “Across Georgia, there is a mandatory shelter in place order for medically fragile individuals, and gatherings of more than ten people are banned unless there is at least six feet between each person at […]
Read More »Union General releases new guidelines, designates sick and well clinics
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In a press release issued by Union General Health System, the medical facility is updating its operating procedures and establishing sick and well clinics in the community. In response to the Blairsville City Council’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Ordinance, Union General Health System will no longer perform elective procedures/diagnostic testing, until further notice. […]
Read More »Speaker Ralston asks Raffensperger to move Georgia Primary
ATLANTA, Ga – Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (Ga -7) sent a letter to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) asking him to please move Georgia’s May 19th primary due to novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In the letter, Ralston asserts that he would like the primary to be moved to a date of June […]
Read More »Kemp Closes K-12 Public Schools Through April 24
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp issued Executive Order 03.26.20.02 closing public elementary and secondary schools for in-person instruction through April 24, 2020. Students may return to school on Monday, April 27, 2020. “I am deeply grateful to State School Superintendent Richard Woods, the Georgia Department of Education, superintendents, and parents for keeping us informed and […]
Read More »UPDATE: Gov. Kemp instructs medically at-risk individuals to shelter in place
ATLANTA, Ga – In a March 23 press conference, Gov. Kemp issued multiple executive orders and asked for the public’s help to ensure everyone is following CDC and Georgia Department of Health (DPH) guidelines during the country’s self-quarantine. While Kemp is still hesitant to shut down all non-essential businesses or institute a statewide mandatory quarantine, […]
Read More »Georgia Receives SBA Statewide Disaster Declaration
Atlanta, GA – On March 18, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has received an official statewide disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This declaration will provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to impacted small businesses in all 159 counties in Georgia. “This is great news […]
Read More »Jail populations under evaluation for potential release
BLUE RIDGE, GA – With a judicial emergency in place across the state, Georgia district attorneys and offices are evaluating jail populations to determine who can and cannot be released. The Appalachian and Enotah Judicial Circuit are continuing to work with law enforcement to protect the community as well as provide those incarcerated with their […]
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