Houston County sees 38% increase of COVID-19 cases

The North Central Health District of the Georgia Department of Health reported Tuesday morning that between May 11, 2020 and May 18, 2020, confirmed case counts, as well as emergency room visits associated with COVID-19 chief complaints, increased amongst Houston County residents.

The increase is reported during the week of May 11 through May 18 as 38%. According to the North Central Health District Houston County, cases are mostly attributed to community-level spread (77%) instead of being attributed to a clusters of illness. The district said in a press release due to case counts, they are watching the situation closely and working with its partners to ensure that precautions amongst residents are encouraged.

As of Monday, Houston Healthcare has less than five COVID-19 patients. Stated on the organization’s website, they are safeguarding patient confidentiality, and given the current small number of positive inpatients, Houston Healthcare will no longer be releasing the exact count.

Also reported on Monday, the people tested based on symptoms at all Houston Healthcare locations is 1,511, and people tested, treated and back to work are 1,266. There are currently 1,195 negative test results and 239 positive; tests in process with results not received are 77. Total number of deaths is 29 with 17 being from Houston County and 12 from surrounding counties.

Last Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp announced that there are 887 Georgians who are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Georgia has seen a 40% drop in this statistic since May 1, 2020.

“One of the key battlefields in our fight against COVID-19 is Georgia’s nursing homes, and we are laser-focused on providing the necessary protective equipment and testing to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe,” Kemp said. “We also continue to see encouraging COVID-19 hospitalization data from Georgia’s hospitals. I deeply appreciate their commitment to caring for Georgians fighting this virus, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to provide treatment to these patients. As a reminder, Georgia’s health systems are ready to serve patients for elective procedures and routine appointments. We strongly encourage everyone to get important check-ups on their calendar.”

On May 18, Houston Healthcare expanded its surgical services operation to 45% at Houston Medical Center, and for the first time opened Perry Hospital’s surgical services operation at 25% as well as opened the Houston Heart Institute for elective heart procedures. Houston Healthcare’s restrictive visitation policy remains in place. The policy is only one essential visitor allowed per patient, if the patient is:

• A minor under the age of 18

• At the end of life/in hospice/palliative care

• In need of a health care decision maker or visitor to help with communication and/or mobility

• In labor and delivery and/or birth centers (including partner and birth coach)

Charles Briscoe, president/CEO of Houston Healthcare, said they could not give an exact date of when the visitation policy will be lifted, but the first date when they can they will.

The shelter-in-place order remains in effect for those who are to be consider high risk and the elderly until June 12, 2020.

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