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Some county health departments scaling back services to focus on COVID-19

County health departments in the North Central and South Central Health Districts will be limiting their services effectively immediately.

MACON, Ga. — Due to the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases locally, health districts say their counties' health departments will be scaling back services.

In a press release Sunday, North Central Health District says they're "limiting services to only the most crucial public health services."

The North Central Health District includes health departments in Baldwin, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties.

Until further notice, services will be limited to: 

  • STD & HIV testing
  • Birth control
  • Tuberculosis program
  • Immunizations for children age 5 and younger
  • Tdap vaccination
  • Hepatitis A vaccination
  • Medicaid enrollment for women’s health and pregnancy
  • WIC program vouchers

North Central also says they're taking measures to make sure health departments follow social distancing guidelines.

To limit the number of people in waiting rooms, health departments will not be accepting walk-in clients and late clinic hours are suspended, according to the release.

This is effective immediately, and anyone in need of clinical services should call to make an appointment. Click here to find the number for your local health department if you are in the North Central Health District.

The South Central Health District says they're also scaling back services effectively immediately, according to a press release sent Sunday night. 

This includes health departments in Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, and Wilcox Counties.

Until further notice, services in this health district will be limited to:

  • STD & HIV testing
  • Birth control
  • Tuberculosis program
  • Immunizations for children age 5 and younger
  • Tdap vaccination
  • Hepatitis A vaccination
  • Medicaid enrollment for women’s health and pregnancy
  • WIC program vouchers
  • Vital Records
  • Environmental Health Services

South Central says no children will be allowed in health department facilities unless they are receiving services. Additional guests not receiving services are not allowed at health department facilities either. 

You also need to call ahead to make an appointment for this district. Click here to find the number for your local health department if you are in the South Central Health District.

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FACTS NOT FEAR | At 13WMAZ, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the coronavirus. To see our full coverage, visit our site section here: www.13wmaz.com/Coronavirus.

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