White House names Statesboro, Bulloch as ‘red zone’ and releases recommendations for university COVID-19 testing
August 26, 2020
STATESBORO — President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force penned the latest Georgia state report Sunday. The document, obtained first by WABE News and the Center for Public Integrity, identified Georgia as a red zone state with the second highest rate of new cases in the nation
One of the report’s recommendations was for Georgia to require all universities with RNA detection to expand surveillance testing. It also recommended that any university with an outbreak should be prepared to test all students and protect the surrounding environment.
Asked if the University System of Georgia (USG) has a plan to adhere to the recommendations, Aaron Diamant, USG’s vice chancellor for communications, didn’t respond to The George-Anne’s messages Wednesday.
Jennifer Wise, Georgia Southern’s director of communications, said she could not comment Wednesday.
“I would only say that [the White House report] speaks to my previous comment that GS has a ways to go [with] Covid testing as well as its reporting of positive case data,” said Rob Yarbrough, associate professor of geography. “Although I speak only for myself, I’ve heard from many students, faculty, and staff who share these concerns. We can do better and we should do better.”
The report also identified Statesboro as a “red zone” core-based statistical area and Bulloch, Liberty and Chatham counties as “red zone” counties.
A red zone, as defined by the report, is a location that, “During the last week reported both new cases above 100 per 100,000 population, and a viral (RT-PCR) lab test positivity result above 10%.”
The report provided policy guidance for red zone locations. That includes closing bars and gyms and limiting social gatherings to 10 people.
The George-Anne reached out to William Bridwell, partner at The Blue Room. Citing a need for more information, he said he couldn’t comment on the new guidance.
“I can say with great confidence that we have followed and exceeded all direction and guidelines from local and State officials thus far, and we will continue to do so without hesitation,” said Bridwell.
“We have followed all CDC guidelines, implemented mandatory temperature screening for all patrons and employees (which is not required of businesses), have adhered to the mask mandate from the Mayor/Council, as well as many other mitigating factors,” Bridwell added.
The full state report can be found here.
Tammy Lanier • Aug 27, 2020 at 9:12 am
This is scary. This is what happens when schools are opened to soon. Businesses are opened to soon and to many are to lax with simple distancing and safety practices. I have 13 and 8 year old grandsons. They want to see their friends, they want to socialize. We all want our lives back to normal. We ALL do. But there’s a right time for everything. And it’s totally my opinion that our governor allowed our state to reopen way to soon. I don’t like being dictated to, I don’t like being told to stay I place,keep my younguns home, cancel baby showers weddings going to church. But I do have a vigorous desire to live and have my family live virus free. My nephew and my ex brother in law tested positive Tuesday. My nephew was infected by his teacher the first week of school. Now his 83 yr old grandmother is in danger bcuz he lives with her. And all possible safety measures were followed. Also my 8 year old grandson and I spent the day with the nephew and ex brother in law this past weekend not knowing nephew had been exposed. We are waiting to take our test tomorrow. We were self quarantined 2 weeks before it became mandatory. And now not only are my grandson and I scared too death we have it. But more family members have unknowingly been exposed. There are 5 in my household, 4 in my sisters household, and 3 more in my ex bro in law household they have. ALL been exposed. I’m 61 and I enjoy bad health lol. My sisters are 57 and 55 with underlying health issues. We’ve all been extremely careful. I personally am homeschooling my grandsons. But Bulloch did tell my family they had safety guidelines in place that were going to be strictly enforced. Which I believe were to the best of the teachers abilities. But keeping 3rd graders at a safe distance from each other and making them follow safety protocol is like herding hamsters. Lol. It was just to early and to dangerous to reopen schools and the public other than necessary. This is so unnecessary for us to be so scared now bcuz we have been exposed after all the precautions and protections we have followed AND we have placed upon ourselves. I feel it is senseless. And yes we are scared. Scared beyond measure for our 83yr old family member. We do not want to be another death statistic. And again. This opinion is all mine. God Bless you all and please stay safe. As safe as possible. Any misspelling please take as love lol.
Mom of a Gus student • Aug 26, 2020 at 7:24 pm
They need to close the bars in STATESBORO! Being a healthcare worker I have seen an increase in postitive cases. Kids are not going to listen and not go because they faulter to peet pressure. Mr Bridwell is not telling the truth ! There are no mask being worn at the bars! Close the doors until the pandemic is under control!
Charles Woods • Aug 26, 2020 at 4:07 pm
The university needs to get it’s testing act together. There are a lot of us who graduated from The University years ago ….me being 53 years ago … If you’re not careful you going to kill some of us off here in the city.. with a lax testing policy…Please keep this in mind..