CLARKESVILLE – Officials from Habersham County, its seven municipalities, the public safety community and Habersham Medical Center gathered Monday afternoon to discuss measures taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the new coronavirus.
While there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Habersham County so far, cases are being reported in nearby counties and officials say it is only a matter of time before it comes to the county.
Emergency services/fire stations
Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black said all visitation to the county’s fire stations, both county and city, now is restricted. That means nonessential personnel will not be allowed inside those stations.
Directions and guidance are posted on the station doors and walk-in patients will have to call 9-1-1 first and identify themselves and the station they want to enter so staff can be alerted to their primary complaint, in order to put on protective equipment if necessary and go outside to meet with the patient if needed.
While emergency services personnel will continue to respond to all emergency calls, those involving patients exhibiting symptoms similar to those associated with the coronavirus will be handled differently. A fire engine will not respond on those calls, but instead an ambulance and supervisor will handle.
Upon arrival, the EMS crew will put on personal protective gear and the supervisor will apply Bioesque Solution, a disinfectant spray, to the paramedic and EMT. Crews will try not to enter the home, but rather meet with the patient outside.
Bioesque Solution kills viruses, including the coronavirus, on surfaces within four minutes and lasts for 30 to 45 days, Black said.
Habersham Medical Center
Lynn Boggs, president of Habersham Medical Center, discussed the steps being taken at the Demorest hospital to prevent the introduction or spread of the virus.
“We’re screening patients for coronavirus,” Boggs said. “We did do one screening last week, which was negative. I want to reinforce that because there were a lot of rumors out in the community.”
As at most healthcare facilities, visitation is limited.
“We are restricting all visitors now,” Boggs said. “The nursing home was restricted at the beginning of last week. This week, we just started screening hospital visitors. We’re allowing one visitor per patient. Everybody that comes in is questioned at the front door. They’re given a band to identify where they’re supposed to be and what date it is, so the staff know that they’re allowed in the hospital. Everybody else has to stay out. That’s just to minimize contact in the hospital.”
Senior wellness center
The Habersham County Senior Wellness Center, occupied in 2019, is closed temporarily effective Monday. The Habersham County Senior Center remains open for now until the county can change congregate meals to home delivery.
Parks and recreation
The Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department has suspended all recreational sporting activities. Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center activities are suspended for two weeks, including the swimming pools and gymnasiums. Total Fitness will close temporarily beginning Tuesday, March 17.
Detention center
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said anyone entering the sheriff’s office or jail to conduct business, including officers transporting prisoners, must first wash their hands.
“That goes for anybody that enters the facility,” Terrell said. “We’ve got signs up. We’re not even going to conduct business with them until they wash their hands in an open sink. Then we’ll conduct business with them.”
Visitation has been reduced at the jail as well, primarily to protect the officers who have to go in the cell area with inmates.
Sheriff’s patrol
Sheriff’s patrol procedures are changing as well, though not to the extent announced in some other jurisdictions in the region.
“Our officers, when interacting with someone, we’re having them not go into a home,” Terrell said. “We’re going to be staying outside the home or outside wherever it is, in open space not a confined area to try to limit some of that.”
Facilities treatment
County maintenance staff is applying Bioesque Solution on all public access buildings and vehicles, including ambulances, EMS and fire supervisory vehicles, transit and senior center vehicles, and sheriff’s office patrol vehicles.
Additionally, Terrell said he would work with city police chiefs to ensure their patrol vehicles receive treatment with Bioesque Solution.
Updates
Because of how quickly information is changing on this new coronavirus, a COVID-19 Information and Updates button has been added on the homepage of the Habersham County website that contains all documents and links regarding county, CDC, Department of Public Health and other coronavirus information and updates.
'Only the beginning'
Boggs said the worst is yet to come.
“I’ll reinforce to you that we’re at the beginning of this thing, not near the end of it,” Boggs said. “We’re weeks away from what we’re going to see, and we have to be really careful. This virus will live for about 24 hours on porous material, but it will live three or four days on harder material like your steering wheels and your armrests on the chairs. It’s really important to wash your hands and it’s really important to stay away from sick people, and if you’re sick don’t be around other people.”
