As some Georgia hospitals are facing bed and staff shortages as the delta variant overwhelms resources, Governor Brian Kemp addressed the state Monday afternoon and announced additional steps to support state hospitals in their fight against COVID-19.
“Through October of this year the state coordinated through the Department of Community Health, has already committed $500 million to provide 13-hundred staff on an ongoing basis, to 68 hospitals across our state,” according to Kemp. “To expand those efforts I’m announcing today that Commissioner [Caylee]Noggle and her team will increase the total number of state-supported hospital staff from 13-hundred to 28-hundred. This would amount to an additional $125 million of investment.”
While Kemp reiterated his stance against mask and other mandates, he also urged state employees to get vaccinated, by giving them time off to do so.
“State offices will be closed Friday, September 3rd in advance of Labor Day weekend. I’m asking all state employees who have not yet gotten their shot, to consider scheduling it on or before Friday, September the 3rd.”
The governor also addressed state workers who have received the vaccine.
I'm asking all state employees who have not yet gotten their shot, to consider scheduling it on or before Friday, September the 3rd.
“For those you that have been vaccinated, or got their shot before September 3rd, please take this day off as a thank you.”
The governor said Georgia will remain open for business.
