State of the county following COVID-19 shutdowns
Community, Health May 27, 2020
UNION COUNTY, Ga – Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris gave a brief update on how Union County is faring while many residents try to find a sense of normalcy.
Over the course of approximately one month, Union County’s cases grew by 20. Out of the 43, only eleven of those patients needed hospitalization and one death. Union General Hospital had one active patient as of May 22. Previously, multiple beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients.
“We’re very fortunate up here,” stated Paris. “The fact that we’ve only got one in the hospital is a great sign. Does that mean we’re only going to have one? No. Does it mean we’re out of the woods yet? No. But we feel that what we have done in the county is very preventative.”
The commissioner added that those over 65 and with preexisting conditions are still under the Gov. Kemp’s stay at home order until June 13.
“We just have to remember that this thing still is serious. My concern going forward is people are going to – like me, like all of us – are just tired of it. Just like wearing [masks] or not wearing [it],” expressed Paris.
He wanted everyone to continue to be cautious and follow social distancing. He did encourage masks wearing in public areas and to use common sense to try and flatten the curve.
“Employees at those stores are the ones who really notice it. They feel like if you don’t wear one, then you’re not concerned about protecting them,” said Paris.
Whether or not to open the Meeks Park pool is currently being debated because current COVID-19 protocols limit use to 50 people at one time. Also, all chairs must be disinfected each time the person using one leaves the facility. If the county decides to open, it might have to hire someone to sanitize all surfaces in and around the pool.
“It’s not only what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it, but it’s what’s the governor’s going to do. Is he going to loosen the guidelines or tighten the guidelines?” Paris commented on the rapidly evolving situation.
On a positive note, county sales tax revenue for April is slightly up from the same time last year. However, this isn’t expected to last. Also, the state still must unveil its 14 percent budget cuts, which will affect some areas of the county.
The city of Blairsville reported tax revenue numbers similar to last year as well. Currently, COVID-19 hasn’t significantly impacted the city’s budget, but again these numbers could change as the year progresses.
Across the board, it’s too early to determine the financial impact of COVID-19.
UPDATE: Union County Nursing Home patient tests positive for COVID-19
Health, News April 25, 2020
UPDATE: April 27
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In the April 27 Georgia Department of Community Health Long-Term Care Facility Report, it added a confirmed positive patient case in the Union County Nursing Home.
Previously, the government agency also listed a UCHS employee as positive for COVID-19. The April 27 data also increased the resident census to 140 residents.
Testing has become more available throughout Georgia, which will likely result in an increase in cases across the state.
Chatuge Regional Nursing Home also has one confirmed patient and one confirmed employee case.
Original Story Below
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Georgia Department of Community Health reported that one Union County Nursing Home Employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
As of April 24, no nursing home residents are listed as positive for COVID-19. However, a patient in Chatuge Regional Nursing Home was confirmed as positive on April 24.
Union County Nursing Home accommodates 138 residents according to community health. Chatuge Regional is home to 108 residents.
Union General Health System (UGHS) now has two confirmed employee cases since April 10 – one in Towns and one in Union. The health system’s policy doesn’t allow them to discuss employee or patient matters.
Both facilities previously closed the buildings to visitors and limited meals to in-room dining. UGHS has assured Fetch Your News multiple times that the system follows all CDC protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents in both nursing homes are considered high-risk by the CDC and W.H.O. Several long-term care facilities across the country have been ravaged by COVID-19 including ones in Athens and Macon, Ga.
The CDC website stated that older patients may not exhibit typical COVID-19 symptoms, “such as fever or respiratory symptoms. Atypical symptoms may include new or worsening malaise, new dizziness, or diarrhea. Identification of these symptoms should prompt isolation and further evaluation for COVID-19.”
National Guard with Union County Nursing Home Staff, courtesy of nursing home.
The National Guard first visited Union County Nursing Home on April 22 to begin cleaning out the facility and will continue to sanitize the system’s buildings throughout weekend.
Once COVID-19 enters a facility, the CDC guidelines recommend “restricting all residents to their rooms and having HCP wear all recommended PPE for care of all residents (regardless of symptoms) on the affected unit (or facility-wide depending on the situation). This includes: an N95 or higher-level respirator (or facemask if a respirator is not available), eye protection, gloves, and gown. HCP should be trained on PPE use including putting it on and taking it off.”
With the high risk of unrecognized infection among residents, everyone in the facility must follow the outlined measures. Experience with the virus suggests that a “substantial proportion of residents could have COVID-19 without reporting symptoms or before symptoms develop.”
Facilities also are recommended to have a separate area to care for patients confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19. Ill residents must be checked at least three times daily to quickly determine if the level of care must be escalated.
The public health can assist in making decisions about testing asymptomatic residents.
Neighboring Long-Term Care Facilities with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
The Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care facility has two employees who tested positive for COVID-19.
Pruitt Health Blue Ridge has one positive patient.
Dahlonega Assisted Living and Memory Care has one positive employee.
Please keep all these individuals and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in your thoughts and prayers are this time.