The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), South Health District has confirmed the first COVID-19 related death of a resident in Turner County. The individual was an 83-year old male with underlying medical conditions.

 “We continue to be saddened to hear of the death of residents in our district,” said William R. Grow, MD, FACP, district health director. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this individual during this time of loss.”

As of noon today, April 13, 37 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in residents of Turner County. The majority of those 37 cases have been due to a local nursing home outbreak which includes staff and residents of the long-term care facility.

To receive the most recent total case counts for any county in Georgia, please refer to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Daily Status Update at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report. This site updates daily at noon and 7 p.m.

Public Health Officials are calling on all Georgians to do their part to stop further spread of this deadly virus.

Stay home – the Governor has issued a shelter-in-place Executive Order that should be observed by all residents and visitors.

Practice social distancing – keep at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.

Wash your hands – use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) if soap and water aren’t readily available.

Wear a mask – TheCDC now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where socials distancing is difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), and especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

If you develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., shortness of breath, coughing and fever), and have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your symptoms.

For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, visit southhealthdistrict.com/covid19, dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or cdc.gov/coronavirus.