Dougherty County COVID-19 Task Force has last gathering

ALBANY, Ga. – Today marked Dougherty County’s COVID-19 Task Force’s final conference. For months city, county and medical leaders have been providing COVID-19 updates and information to residents through this task force.

Albany Mayor Bo Dorough says he’s proud of his community for adopting measures that helped lessen the hold coronavirus had on the region.

“We successfully flattened the curve because the vast majority of our citizens followed the recommendations you have heard from this podium for the last three months,” says Dorough.

In the early weeks of the pandemic Dougherty County was seeing double digit Covid-19 deaths.

“Our first wave was bigger than two waves. That’s how incredible the impact was of what we initially had,” says Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas.

Now, Phoebe Putney Memorial, a hospital once depleted of ICU beds due to the amount of COVID-19 patients, is sometimes going days without a single COVID-19 admission.

“We have done good things over the past three months and continue to do those things to help us beat back this virus,” says Medical Director of Emergency Services, Dr. James Black.

Although the lowered rate of infection and death is encouraging, Dr. Black warns residents to stay vigilant.

“We’re not through this yet, we’re still keeping those precautions. We’re not any less concerned and we’re very aware that it’s a very tenuous situation and with a couple of wrong choices or unfortunent happenings we can be right back where we were.”

Dr. Black mentioned that surrounding areas are experiencing a surge in cases and cautioned people who are thinking of visiting Florida.

“Their rate keeps going up there are over 2000 new cases a day so as we enjoy the weather outside and have thoughts of traveling be mindful that this is not over.”