PRESS RELEASE

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. –The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is closely monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and is regularly coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

White County Pandemic Task Force continues to meet and prepare for any local response actions they may become necessary as this situation continues to develop. We have one message to our community: PREPARE DON’T PANIC.

There are NO COVID-19 cases in White County at this time. Our county school system and Truett McConnell University will be closing for precautionary preparedness measures beginning Monday. White County Government will be closing the Senior Citizens Center, White County Library Cleveland Branch and the Parks & Recreation Facilities beginning Monday morning as well. These closings are again in an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of this virus and protect those persons most vulnerable to the disease.

“As always we encourage our citizens to prepare for any emergency or disaster situation that could occur in White County. PREPARE DON’T PANIC” says David Murphy, Director of Public Safety. “A great website for preparing for disasters is ready.gov or you can contact our office at 706-865-9500 during normal business hours.”

You can now access information directly at www.whitecounty.net , and click on the CONOVIRUS emblem. This will link you to a newly created page with updated information from White County Government, the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health and our local White County School System. Links will be added as valuable information becomes available.

“I want to assure the citizens of White County that our emergency management team is meeting regularly regarding the growing pandemic concerns and assure everyone that White County has not only a Pandemic Response Plan but also has maintained a Continuity of Operations Plan to support our community.  By having these plans in place for the last several years, it helps us to be better prepared when these situations arise,” states Travis Turner, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

He added, “I would like to personally encourage our community to prepare and not give into panic but to also use common sense measures regarding you and your family’s health and well-being.  Also, I would like for us all to be vigilant in prayer for not only our White County community but our entire country and to encourage one another as we anticipate successfully overcoming this health obstacle.  Please know that any decisions we make on behalf of our county will be done in an abundance of caution and safety.”

For more information concerning this press release contact the White County Emergency Management Agency at 706-865-9500.