Make Vaccine Appts. By Calling Health Dept.

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor
COVID-19 updates and new information regarding vaccination appointments was shared during the weekly county update on Jan. 14.

According to Nurse Manager Tammy Franklin at the Dade County Health Department, COVID-19 testing is going well, and she thanks everyone for their patience.

When calling the Health Department, please do not leave a voicemail. It is causing the system to get backed up. Everyone is asked to continue to call until they can reach someone.

The Health Department is no longer offering rapid tests because they have upped their days for giving vaccinations, which is now four days a week. They are still doing testing on Wednesdays.

According to Carey Anderson, public information officer, last week the Georgia Department of Public Health put out an announcement that people would start to be able to sign up for vaccinations online.

“They were so overwhelmed online that the system crashed very quickly. The online registration was terminated,” Anderson said.

To make an appointment, call (706) 657-4213. This is the only way to make an appointment.

County Executive Ted Rumley is now back at work after recovering from COVID-19. His wife Diane also had it, and is now recovering as well.

“I have been out, a lot of people know that. We had a lot people praying. We both had negative tests back now. We’re still just pretty weak. We appreciate everyone that called and brought us food,” Rumley said.

Rumley continued, “It’s amazing what that does to you, as far as pulling your energy out. Just losing your strength was a scary thing.”

Dade County has seen 126 cases in the past two weeks, for a total of 881 COVID-19 cases. The number of cases can be found at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report.

“The numbers are definitely not going down. Please keep your mask available, when you’re out shopping, when you’re out in public, especially if you are at any events. Try to social distance. It affects different people differently. It is amazing how it can attack your lungs and your whole body,” Rumley said.

In other news, two new electric car charging stations have been installed. According to Rumley it was no expense to the county, the spaces just had to be provided. The spaces are by the new courts facility.

The lobby in the Sheriff’s Office will open up for fingerprinting on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 2–6 p.m.

Rumley reported that the Lookout Dam project is done.

“The state of Georgia came out and did their final inspection of it and they were very satisfied,” Rumley said.
The county update is held weekly on Thursdays at 3 p.m., and is broadcast live on Facebook.