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Gov. Brian Kemp Discusses COVID-19 and Vaccine Rollout at Briefing

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Governor Brian Kemp held a COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Kemp was joined by Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital. He focused on the vaccine’s rollout through Georgia. 

 

“This vaccine is safe, it is effective, and it is now on the way to the people of this great state. In the weeks and months to come, just as we took a phased approach to bringing back our economy, we will take a phased approach to vaccinating the Peach State.”  

 

During that briefing, Norma Poindexter was the first ICU Nurse to receive the vaccine, followed by Dr. Toomey. 

“I feel like we have this ray of hope that we didn’t have even a few months ago.

“Due to very high demand and limited supply, as you know, we will not be able to vaccinate the general public for months.”

 

Kemp also discussed plans to help fund staffing increases at hospitals and nursing homes through early next year. 

 

“And due to the reality of a nationwide pandemic and increasing demand on our healthcare professionals, one of the key things that they’ve continued to mention to us is staffing. We continue the state’s commitment to hospitals and nursing home staff augmentation through March 6, 2021, which initial projections put us at nearly $70 million.”

 

The Governor says Georgia will spend some $250 million of CARES funding through the end of this year.  

 

 

Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!
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