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Numbers focus on tracking cases and spread
Coronavirus logo
Updated: Apr 23, 2020, 4:40 PM
Published:

Each day at noon and 7 p.m. the Coastal Health District updates the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the eight-county district, which includes Liberty and Long counties.
But some still have questions regarding the confirmed case numbers that, at this moment, have yet to be answered.
The numbers reported by CHD are only lab-confirmed cases, according to Sally M. Silbermann, Coastal Health District public information officer.
 “Our epidemiological focus is in tracking cases and containing spread, which is why our local database covers infection numbers but does not include hospitalization numbers,” Silbermann said. “Hospitals may provide information they deem appropriate about the number of hospitalized patients at their respective facilities.”
The Courier has reached out to Liberty Regional Medical Center to inquire on the numbers of patients they’ve treated and are currently treating at the hospital. A reporter has also requested information on how many LRMC patients were asked to recover at home in self-isolation, and how many have recovered from COVID-19.
An LRMC spokesperson said the hospital was unable to release that information at the present time, and Silbermann said the numbers of those who had the virus and  have recovered is something the Coastal Health District is unable to track.
“Our epidemiological investigation focuses on activity histories and contact tracing to limit further spread, and we provide recommendations for patients moving forward, but we do not track patients throughout their clinical presentation,” Silbermann said.
LRMC CEO Tammy Mims said the hospital is currently focused on extending more services as the community shelter-in-place is lifted.
"Liberty Regional Medical Center is pleased to be able to reinstate the scheduling of Outpatient Imaging procedures such as MRI, CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound,” Mims said in a statement to the Courier Thursday. “Like other healthcare organizations, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to make tough but appropriate decisions to postpone non-emergent services such as these for the health and safety of our patients and staff, which continues to be our number one priority."
 
LRMC Chief of Staff Christina McCain, M.D., said the hospital will follow guidelines from the American College of Surgeons and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses for the scheduling of elective surgeries, were previously placed on hold, as well as any new elective procedures.
“We are following the recommendations of these organizations daily to determine the proper timeline for the reopening of surgical services,” McCain said.  
 
"We will continue to take extra safety precautions as we begin to make our service lines available once again." Mims added. "We are taking this very seriously and have instituted a number of measures to make sure it is safe for patients with minimized exposure. Continued temperature screenings at patient entrances of the hospital will remain in place. Masks are mandatory for staff and patients upon entry to the hospital if social distancing cannot be maintained. Visitation will continue to be suspended for inpatients and emergency department patients. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant about social distancing, hand washing and monitoring themselves."
 
Silbermann warned the virus is still widespread and encouraged people to do everything they can to prevent getting it.
Recommendations include:
- Washing your hands with soap and water regularly. If soap and water aren't readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains least 60 percent alcohol.
- Cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces.
- Wearing a face mask when you go out in public. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
They also encourage those at high risk of complications from COVID-19 to take extra precautions and stay away from others. Those at higher risk include - but aren't limited to folks 65 and older, those with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, chronic lung disease, or diabetes, or those who are immunocompromised.
More information on those higher risk can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html

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UPDATE: Final missing soldier found
Lithaunia search Tuesday
A bulldozer moves gravel to pave a roadway within the area following the recovery of a U.S. Army M88 Hercules recovery vehicle that had been submerged under several meters of water in a swamp near a training area in Pabradė, Lithuania.
Updated: Apr 1, 2025, 8:51 PM
Published: Apr 1, 2025, 2:22 PM

The fourth U.S. Army soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was found deceased near Pabradė, Lithuania the afternoon of April 1.  

The soldier’s identity is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin.  

The 3rd ID identified on its X account the other three soldiers as Sgt. Edvin Franco, Sgt. Jose Duenez and PFC Dante Taitano.

"First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our soldiers,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own sailors, airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.” 

The four soldiers, who were the crew of a M88A2 armored recovery vehicle, went missing in the early morning hours of March 25. Their vehicle eventually was found March 26 but it was beneath approximately 14 feet of water and sunk into more than six feet of mud.

Crews worked to drain the area around the vehicle to make it stable for heavy equipment needed to pull out the M88. U.S. Navy divers were flown in and attached cables to hoist points so the submerged vehicle could be lifted out of the bog.

"This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd ID commanding general. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.” 

The soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies. 

“We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring this recovery to an end and bring closure to all the families, friends and teammates of our soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, who also grew up on Fort Stewart. “We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade.” 

Throughout the seven-day recovery effort, the combined and joint team worked day and night to find the soldiers. 

“As the fourth and final soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dog Face Soldiers home to their families,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps and former Fort Stewart and 3rd ID commanding general. “It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.” 

All four soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve to provide credible ground deterrence alongside Allies and partners, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart. 

“I'm immensely proud of our entire team. They have been relentless in their efforts to search and recover our soldiers and get every capability and asset necessary to enable this effort,” Gen. Donahue said. 

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also posted on X his sorrow at the loss of the four soldiers.

“I want to personally extend my deepest condolences to the families of all four fallen Soldiers,” he wrote. “Our hearts are heavy across the Department of Defense. We are deeply grateful to our brave servicemembers who enabled this difficult recovery and to our Lithuanian hosts who labored alongside them. The recovery was conducted with urgency, resolve and deep respect for the fallen. We will never forget these soldiers — and our prayers are with their families.”

The U.S. Army is investigating the cause of the accident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. 

"We continue to stand by the families and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Norrie. “Now, it’s time to bring them home.” 

 

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