County Board Health Committee Gets COVID Update

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Published on January 5 2021 3:59 pm
Last Updated on January 5 2021 4:02 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR JEFF WORKMAN)

Effingham County Board Health Committee members Tuesday got an update on activities involving the County Health Department concerning COVID-19.

Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman and COVID public information person for the Health Department Karen Feldkamp reported on work to immunize those in Phase 1A. Phase 1A individuals are those health care providers in the county.

Feldkamp said the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, 700 doses, is being administered as of today to health care workers and those in long-term care facilities. HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital caregivers received their initial vaccination last week. Then will come those in Phase 1B, which will include front line essential workers and those 75 years old and older.

Those in Phase 1A are asked to phone the Health Department to schedule an appointment for their vaccination. The appointments are designed to make the vaccination process as quick and as efficient as possible. Feldkamp said giving the vaccinations through a drive-thru process at the Health Department also helps in maintaining social distancing. She said asking for caregivers to make appointments is also because they have six hours to give a vaccination once the container is open so they want to make sure no vaccine is wasted.

Once someone receives the COVID vaccination, they are monitored by the Health Department for 15 minutes to guard against any negative reaction. Feldkamp said, so far, only one person immunized has had a minmal reaction.

There is no timetable for when additional vaccinations will be available to the general public. Workman asked for patience, and reminded that when the time comes, they will notify local media and have information on their website and Facebook page as to when and how those vaccinations will be offered.

Also Tuesday, Feldkamp reported that the latest contact tracing indicates 373 people in the county in quarantine from COVID and another 211 in isolation. She thought the numbers are "a little less" than earlier this year, but thinks that might be because kids have been out of school for Christmas break. 

Feldkamp said they will be watching for an increase now that school has resumed. 

Feldkamp also spoke to the 90-day immunity period once sometime has COVID-19, and that they have seen a couple of persons who have gotten sick again. She knows one person who was asymptomatic, but another who became very sick.

Feldkamp also spoke to long-term recovery issues for some who had COVID-19, including breathing problems, problems with blood and with organs, and low energy levels at day's end for those who haven't previously had such issues. She said, "there are lots of very ill people."

There are 17 people working full-time and part-time for the Health Department doing contact tracing, including two people who are doing contact tracing in schools. Workman said, "the schools have been great to work with."