View the latest update from 3/16/2020 - 6:05pm at the following link.

AUGUSTA, Ga., March 16th, 2020 – City of Augusta leaders and Public Health officials are actively monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 virus locally and continue to have daily discussions on how to best protect the people of Augusta and the city’s employees.

Today the Augusta University Health Systems announced that one of their employees and a spouse are presumed to be positive for the coronavirus pending the Center for Disease Control’s confirmation. These would be the first two positive cases in our area.

Beginning this week, the City of Augusta will be implementing Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs) that have been prepared by our department heads under the direction of the Interim Administrator and EMA Director. The COOPs allow for some telecommuting in order to reduce the number of employees in city offices and facilities at any given time. Please know that core services such as trash and brush pickup, police and fire services will not be reduced.

At this time, the people of Augusta and city employees are encouraged to follow Public Health and CDC guidelines to socially distance themselves, wash their hands frequently, disinfect objects that are touched often, avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth, and self-isolate if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of the coronavirus.

According to the CDC, it can take two to 14 days before a person with the virus begins to experience symptoms. Those could include fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. If you begin to feel these symptoms you are advised to contact your doctor and self-isolate yourself at home.

3/16/2020 - 2:10pm

My Fellow Augustans,

The safety and well-being of all of our citizens is my number one concern and priority. With this in mind, I want to assure you the city is taking proactive steps to ensure the health and welfare of our community. We are in constant communication with local, state, and federal agencies regarding the situation.

In the interest of keeping our employees healthy, our custodial crews are doing additional cleaning of all government facilities and transit vehicles. Additionally, the Augusta Commission and I have directed the EMA Director and Administrator to work with all of our department heads to develop plans for how we can continue to deliver services as the situation escalates.

Please know that core services, such as trash pickup, water, police, and fire services, will not be reduced.

The Georgia Department of Public Health - District 6 / Augusta / East Central Health District has been and will continue to provide guidance and recommendations to our community partners as this situation evolves.

Nothing slows the spread of COVID-19 as effectively as social isolation, as frustrating as it may be. While these decisions are not made easily, and we know how frustrating they will be for many citizens, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of everyone’s health and safety.

For now, the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to:

Wash your hands
Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
Stay home when you’re sick
Stay away from people who are sick
Regularly disinfect commonly used surface areas
Practice social distancing
Most importantly, if you have concerns about your health, contact your health care provider immediately.

The City of Augusta has created this page to keep you updated on any potential changes to city government’s operations caused by COVID-19. You can sign up to get email and text updates about what we’re doing and how to stay healthy. Click here to sign up for Emergency Alerts.

Please sign up now and help us spread the word. We will also be using the City’s various social media channels, robocalls, and signage on public buildings to let you know what’s going on. Let’s stick together and make sure that we take care of one another.

Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.