Community News
How to stay safe as businesses reopen.
By Dave Whitaker
Apr 27, 2020, 16:52

Friday began “Phase One” of Governor Brian Kemp’s plan to reopen Georgia. Under the plan, gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools, and massage therapists were allowed to reopen provided they followed a list of conditions.

Bleckley Memorial Hospital has been monitoring the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so as businesses reopen. Dr. Robert Heath, an Internal Medicine Physician at Bleckley Memorial, offered some thoughts and advice for people.

In a hospital news release, Heath states the gradual reopening “changes nothing with personal protection.” He said people should wear masks when in public and practice social distancing because of studies that show the virus can be spread by not showing symptoms.

Heath also had ways to prevent infection.

 Clean your hands often
 Avoid close contact
 Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
 Cover coughs and sneezes
 Clean and disinfect

The release reminds those who aren’t well to stay home and reminds those who are at higher risk (older people, those with pre-existing conditions) should continue to “shelter in place” per the instructions of Governor Kemp until at least May 13.

Also outlined in the release were things Bleckley Memorial is doing to protect both the community and staff during this time. They include the following measures.

 All major entrances to the hospital are closed. The only entry way into the hospital is through the Emergency Room.
 No visitors are allowed at any time for any reason except for designated visitors. (hospice patients, minors, visitor necessary for patient treatment, etc.)
 Anyone entering the hospital through the ED entrance will be screened for Covid-19 illness.
 Payments on accounts should be made online or mailed when able to.

The hospital has also implemented a “drive through” lab and respiratory lab service, as well as a “no waiting room” radiology service for patients who don’t wish to enter the hospital during the pandemic. Designated parking areas for those services are any handicap parking spot near the emergency room entrance.

If those spaces are occupied, any parking spot near the entrance will suffice. Services will be available Monday through Friday from 7:30 am-3:30 pm. For more information on these and other services, call (478)934-6211.


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