Phase 2 begins

DAYTON- Columbia County has entered Phase 2. Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman stated at the County Commissioners meeting on May 11, "I'm happy to be in Phase 2...it's a big step."

One of the criteria for being approved to Phase 2 is the ability to have enough testing for those with possible COVID-19 symptoms. Lanman assured the Commissioners that the County has "ample testing" and have tested 94 individuals as of the time of the meeting.

Those counties approved for Phase 2 are still awaiting the specific guidelines for each sector and cannot officially move into opening until they are published. Late on May 11, the guidelines for restaurants were published, and more are expected soon.

Lanman said the health department will help businesses get up and running and provide initial necessary hand sanitizer, masks and gloves.

The use of play equipment at public parks are still not allowed according to Lanman because of the difficulty in controlling possible transmission of the virus.

Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland proposed the use of one the migrant housing buildings at the Seneca plant for secure storage and moderate climate control for the personal protective equipment (PPE) stock. This would be paid for through grants. The commissioners agreed it was a possibility, but indicated that the particular building was already being considered for use of childcare for healthcare employees by the hospital.

Currently, the PPE is mainly being stored at the Fire Department's compound, but climate control would need to be added there. Strickland stated that keeping the PPE there is "very convenient because there is always somebody that can take deliveries on the weekend, and they have a forklift." Commissioner Amerein affirmed, "It's also just more secure because it's got that fence around it which means no one's going to break in and steal what might be become more increasingly scarce PPE." Strickland is concerned that the PPE is taking over department's entire storage building, but agreed to look into keeping it there with climate control.