Joint Northwest Georgia Healthcare COVID-19 Announcement

March 14, 2020

Northwest Georgia medical and public health leaders are working closely and collaboratively to
aggressively respond to the COVID-19 impact in our communities. In reviewing the increased
number and nature of COVID-19 cases in Bartow, Floyd, Gordon, and Polk county residents,
we believe there is now clear indication of community spread. As leaders of local health and
hospital systems across Northwest Georgia, we unanimously endorse the difficult yet
necessary decision to cancel events and large gatherings and encourage the use of social
distancing to mitigate spread of the virus and best protect our communities.

Based on what we know about the virus, risk increases by age. We are particularly concerned
about the exposure of our elderly populations and those of any age with underlying or chronic
health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and suppressed immune
systems. Our community has a responsibility to limit exposure and protect those who are most
vulnerable.

Rest assured, your local medical and public health leadership will continue to work together
with professionalism, diligence and compassion to further prepare for COVID-19, protect those
who have been impacted and help slow its transmission in our communities. We are taking the
necessary steps to protect our residents and keep the public informed as the situation evolves.

Pete Weber, AdventHealth Gordon and Murray, CEO
Chris Mosley, Cartersville Medical Center, CEO
Kurt Stuenkel, Floyd Health System, CEO
Dr. Gary Voccio, Georgia Department of Public Health, Northwest Health District Director
Kenna Stock, Harbin Clinic, CEO
John Quinlivan, Redmond Regional Medical Center, CEO