BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County EMA (UCEMA) released an update to it’s Facebook page this week as COVID-19 confirmed cases grow in the community.

“Information on the COVID-19 virus changes at such a rapid pace that it is very difficult to keep up to date. We are attempting to keep everyone informed as to the latest happenings and information. There are cases in just about every county in Georgia, including Union County.

It does not matter how many people have come and gone in Union County; the virus has spread. The furthest, rural counties who do not have beautiful mountains, hiking trails, and vacation homes still have virus spread in their area. That should give you an idea just how easy this virus spreads.

[Union County is] at a critical time. Some studies and models have shown that the number of confirmed cases and deaths in Georgia are on the rise with a peak in late April. That is why slowing down the spread rate is very important. This virus will spread. The risk is real and should be taken very seriously. [The community needs] to slow down the spread in order to not overwhelm our healthcare system. Lives may depend on it.

UCEMA and the public have seen orders and actions from the national government down to the local level. The Governor of Georgia has issued an executive order “To Ensure a Safe & Healthy Georgia” which went into effect on Friday, April 3, 2020. The order is somewhat complicated, and everyone has questions as to what they can do; what they can’t do; and what will stay open or close.

There are too many orders to review in this column but the main points that we want to stress are the social distancing, restrictions on gatherings, sheltering in place, and certain businesses are to close. One quote from the order sums up the state of mind that everyone should have by stating that people should be “taking every possible precaution to limit social interaction to prevent the spread, or infection, of COVID-19 to themselves or any other person”. The complete order can be viewed on the Governor’s website www.gov.georgia.gov.

What UCEMA recommends is that people should stay at home over the next few weeks unless it is necessary to get out. Every activity that takes you from your home and is not necessary, can put you, your family, and your community at risk.

The Union County Emergency Management Agency is continuously working with everyone to meet this threat. They still strongly recommend following the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines on how to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.unioncountyga.gov or call GDPH Hotline at (844) 442-2681.