‘Keep minimizing impact’: Macon-Bibb mayor reacts to COVID-19 case

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert is responding to the county’s first confirmed COVID-19 case.

Reichert urges residents to stay calm, don’t panic, and don’t hoard products. He expressed confidence in the healthcare system and the measures taken by the county to keep people safe.

“We must not see today’s confirmed cases as a time to raise the level of concern or worry,” Reichert said. “But rather to confirm what we already knew was going to happen and to continue our efforts to minimize the impact.”

Reichert is reminding people, to wash their hands, practice social distancing, and avoid crowds with more than ten people.

As COVID-19 made its way to Macon, Reichert says he’s proud of the county and residents’ efforts.

“The steps we have taken as a community have had a major impact on our first confirmation, being today rather than days or weeks ago,” he said. “We have managed to blunt the curve and slow the spread of this virus and that is commendable.”

Reichert says the county and healthcare providers are prepared to handle COVID-19 cases.

“I’m not aware of any critical shortage of medicine or equipment at this point,” Reichert added.

He says the county is working to have employees work from home, and identify ways to keep law enforcement and healthcare workers safe.

“We’ve got to continue to patrol the streets, put out fires, fix stoplights, pay the bills, prepare for next year’s budget, and so much more that people may not see,” Reichert said. “But we can and will find a way to do all this while supporting our employees and their families and protecting the health of our communities.”

The two confirmed COVID-19 cases from Macon and Peach County are at The Medical Center, Navicent Health. 

A Navicent Health official attended the news conference but declined to speak further on the issue.

According to a news release from Navicent Health, the patients with COVID-19 are isolated.