The city of Dalton, Georgia, has declared a state of emergency in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Whitfield County, permitting city employees to provide much-needed assistance at Hamilton Medical Center.
Monday’s decision came just days after the hospital announced it would suspend some elective procedures due to an observed 53% increase in positive cases of the virus.
According to an agreement between Dalton and Hamilton Medical Center outlining an emergency partnership, the coronavirus surge has placed “extraordinary stress” on the hospital and its staffing. City employees who volunteer to supplement staff at the hospital are meant to help ease the burden for at least the next 12 weeks.
City spokesperson Bruce Frazier said all employees, not just those employed at the fire and police departments, are eligible to assist at the hospital while the state of emergency is in place. Those without paramedic or emergency medical technician training can still help with stocking and handling supplies and providing general assistance to the regular hospital staff, he said.
No city employee, Frazier said, is required to take shifts at the hospital, and there will be no penalties for those who opt not to do so.