GEORGIA DPH PREPARES FOR POTENTIAL SPREAD OF COVID-19 (OR CORONAVIRUS)

The Georgia Department of Public Health is working closely with the CDC and state partners to prepare for a potential outbreak of COVID-19 in the US, including Georgia, according to a DPH media release. The goal is to quickly identify cases of COVID-19 and take the appropriate public health actions to reduce its spread and protect the general public.

Kathleen E. Toomey, MD, MPH, the DPH Commissioner, asserts, “We urge Georgians to prepare for hurricanes or flooding, or take measures to prevent flu, so preparing for an outbreak of COVID-19 is no different.”

Toomey adds that the DPH is working with health systems, first responders, and county health departments have the resources that they need in order to respond to a potential outbreak.

The DPH notes that at this time, the overall risk of COVID-19 (or the novel coronavirus) to the general public remains low.

For additional information about DPH preparations for the potential spread of COVID-19, visit www.dph.georgia.gov.