Dougherty County reaches milestone in battle against COVID-19

ALBANY, Ga. – Friday, local officials gathered for the COVID-19 Task Force meeting. And Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler presented encouraging news in regards to the community’s fight with the disease, “The death rate has slowed down tremendously in Dougherty County, September has been the lowest death month since we started back in March,” he said.

There have been three COVID-19 deaths for this month. A huge step in the right direction since in April alone, 86 Dougherty County resident’s died from COVID-19 complications. 

And not only is the county’s death rate dropping, the community’s rate of positive COVID-19 cases is also plummeting.

“Back in the worst parts of the pandemic, the rate of positive tests was above 20% for a considerable amount of time and lately it’s been below 5% and that’s a really good accomplishment,” says Dr. Charles Ruis, Southwest Public Health District Health Director.

Dr. Steven Kitchen, Chief Medical Officer with Phoebe Health Systems, says the positive trends are a direct reflection of the community’s hard work in battling COVID-19. However, he says people need to continue being proactive with flu season rapidly approaching.

“We need to acknowledge the reality before us and I think that we all appreciate the fact that COVID -19 not just locally, but state-wide, nationally, internationally has severely taxed the resources of the healthcare system.”

Which is why health officials are pushing for residents to get the flu vaccine. It could help prevent using vital resources, but also help prevent becoming severely sick.

Dr. Ruis said, “If we get sick with the flu our life is in danger, if we get sick from COVID, our life is in danger and if both of those infections occur at once, the chance of a bad outcome is really multiplied. And I agree with Dr. Kitchen also, that an influenza pandemic can really stretch the ability of the medical community to respond.”

Dr. Ruis says the department of public health has flu shots readily available that are quick, easy and low-cost.