Quitman – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), South Health District has confirmed a COVID-19 related death of a resident in Brooks County. The individual was an 87-year old male with underlying medical conditions. He was not hospitalized.

      “Our heart goes out to his family and loved ones at this time,” said William R. Grow, MD, FACP, district health director. “We know that our number of positive cases is likely to increase dramatically in the next two weeks, but we hope this will not be the case with our mortality rate.”

      This is the third confirmed COVID-19 related death in South Health District.

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

All Georgians play a critical role in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the following guidance:

• Practice social distancing by putting at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
• Wear a mask – The CDC 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.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

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/2019-ncov/index.html.