Positive COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Grady

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Grady County increased by 15 in the last week, according to health officials, but zero new deaths are reported. According to Michelle Thornton, R.N./B.S.N., director of the Grady County Health Department, there are 119 Grady County residents with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus Tuesday, and the number of deaths has held steady at five since the pandemic was pronounced.

Testing will take place at the health department on Friday, 8 a.m. until noon. Testing is free to anyone, and although appointments are encouraged, they are not required. To make an appointment, call (229) 352-6567, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The health department is located at 1030 4th St. SE in Cairo.

As of Tuesday, one positive COVID patient was being treated at Grady General Hospital. The hospital, along with all Archbold sites, revised its visitor policy as of Tuesday.

One visitor may accompany patients into the hospital for a procedure. The visitor will be issued an arm band and allowed to wait in a waiting room.

Patients admitted to the hospital will be allowed to have one visitor at a time in the hospital, and the visitor will be issued an arm band. Patients may have no more than three visitors in a 24 hour period, except if it is an end-of-life situation or the visitor is needed to assist with communication or special care.

Patients in the emergency room may have one designated visitor at the bedside, but no visitors will be allowed in that waiting area.

Patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 will not be allowed to have visitors.

Grady County’s rise in positive cases this week is up slightly compared to the previous week. At 119 cases, we are up 15 compared to last week’s 104, which was up by 12 from the week prior.

Neighboring counties are also seeing a continuous rise in positive cases, especially Decatur County in the last week, which is up by 48 cases to 204 with one additional death, bringing their total death toll to five.

Mitchell County’s positive cases are up by 14 to 413, while their number of deaths held steady at 32.

Thomas County had one additional death this week, bringing their total up to 32 deaths from COVID-19. The number of positive cases rose by nine to 332.

Statewide, the number of positive cases increased in the last week by 4,224 to 48,207. The number of deaths increased by 207 in the last week bringing the total number of Georgians to die from the disease to 2,102.

In Florida, Leon County saw an increase of 35 cases and one death in the last week bringing their numbers to 384 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.

In Gadsden County, Florida, their number of positive cases increased by 12 to 274, and they had two more deaths bringing that total to three.

Lori Hughes, administrator of Pinewood Healthcare and Rehab. in Whigham, says the single employee who tested positive on their campus was diagnosed in March and has since been cleared to return to work. The employee works full-time for Bainbridge Memorial, Hughes says, and works only part-time at Pinewood and at other nursing homes.

Officials with Southwest Georgia Public Health urge residents to continue to be vigilant to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus.

They state when shopping to order online if possible, utilize curbside pickup, or go in the early morning or late evening to avoid crowds. Shoppers are still encouraged to wear a face covering and avoid touching the face. Maintaining the six feet of social distancing is promoted, along with using hand sanitizer after paying and washing hands with soap and water after leaving the store and putting away purchased items.