Gilmer Schools responding to COVID case increases
News August 20, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – “Gilmer Schools have seen an explosion of positive COVID cases and quarantines throughout this week.” Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley read a statement during the Gilmer County Board of Education this week on Thursday night, August 19, 2021, during their Regular Scheduled meeting.
Gilmer Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley
As of that meeting, the total cases in Gilmer’s school system surpassed a district wide 900 students in quarantine and 100 positive cases in students and staff.
That explosion also culminated in the cancellation of the season opening varsity football game against Pickens on Friday, August 20, 2021. The school system stated, “Decisions such as these are not taken lightly, and we must prioritize the safety and well being of all student-athletes and spectators for both teams.”
Dr. Ridley said in a letter to parents about COVID restrictions earlier this week that the school system would be mandating masks and face coverings starting on Monday, August 23, 2021. He stated, “I feel it is imperative that we act now in an effort to keep our students safe and our schools open.”
In efforts to notify and share the information well in advance, that letter was sent out. However, at the Thursday meeting, Dr. Ridley also informed citizens that while working with the Department of Health, new guidelines will be coming next week in implementation. He confirmed that he would be discussing these with the press on Monday to inform citizens more about those changes as the school looks to continue implementing DPH guidelines into the schools.
As of now, Monday will see masking on school buses only with strong encouragement to wear masks throughout the day. Dr. Ridley also urged others to consider using masks and getting vaccinated against the virus. During his statement in the meeting, Dr. Ridley stated, “Students and staff who are fully vaccinated or masked during exposure will not be subject to quarantine.”
Additionally, the Board of Education also approved COVID leave time for staff that have exposures and positive tests. Superintendent Ridley stated that the official numbers will be updated on their website tomorrow, August 20, 2021.
With the announcement of new COVID guidelines made and implementation on the way, the school system is currently working on the “logistics of implementing this new guidance as early as Monday or Tuesday of next week.”
Gilmer is continuing with quarantining for 10 days and requirements to be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications with an improvement of symptoms.
Additionally, Dr. Ridley previously told FYN that virtual academy was not being implemented for the start of school, but Gilmer does have the option if the need arises. He did not mention virtual academy at the meeting.
As the Superintendent shares more information on the changing guidelines FYN will continue to share new articles with the updated information.
Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston provides breakfast to local health workers giving vaccinations
News March 1, 2021
Sheree Bradburn, on behalf of Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, was up bright and early serving breakfast to our local health workers. The Gilmer County health department will be providing vàccinations at the Piedmont Community center.. Bradburn told us, “Ralston is down at the Capitol fighting for us and I want to pitch in right here at home.”
The efforts of public health and Piedmont mountainside is a great example of public/private partnerships that work. This is what our taxpayers and community want to see and the kind of services they deserve.
We can all support the vaccination efforts in our own ways, whether dropping off meals or providing childcare to workers, whatever. Let’s look for ways to pitch in and make vaccination efforts a success. The sooner we do it the sooner we can get back to normal.
(Pictured here L-R Sheree Bradburn and Krystal Sumner, RN BSN)
FYN spoke with Krystal Sumner, RN BSN, County Nurse Manager, Gilmer County Health Department who gave us the following information.
Gilmer Health Department has administered over 7,500 COVID-19 Vaccines and North Georgia Health District has administered over 70,000 vaccines.
Gilmer Health Department has partnered with Dalton State College utilizing nursing student to assist in the vaccination process. We are also very appreciative of Piedmont for allowing us to use the Piedmont Community Center for a vaccine site. This space allows us to vaccinate one person every minute at our clinic.
Anyone interested in the COVID-19 vaccine may call 1-888-881-1474 or go to www.NGHD.org and click on the COVID-19 19 Information Banner. This will inform the person where vaccine is available and how to make an appointment.
We would like to thank the office of Speaker Ralston for their time and appreciation.