Smaller communities prepare for onslaught of virus patients

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — It started with an infected person from out of town who attended a funeral. Now the largest hospital in Georgia’s mostly rural southwest corner is rapidly running out of space amid the highest rate of coronavirus infection in the entire state.

At Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, intensive care beds are filled with COVID-19 patients, employees are hand-sewing masks to help stretch dwindling supplies, and every day is a struggle.

The rampant infections in New York City have dominated much of the national conversation about the disease. But far from the coasts, smaller communities are also preparing for things to get worse, and in places such as Albany, it's already happening.

“I can’t tell you how it’s going to be Friday, much less in the week after," said Scott Steiner, CEO of the four-hospital health system that includes Phoebe Putney Memorial.

The situation in Georgia reflects a reality on the ground that is at odds with President Donald Trump's repeated vow to have the the American economy up and running by Easter. Albany is already out of intensive-care beds. Louisiana authorities estimate that New Orleans could be inundated by the end of next week. The Wisconsin governor projects 1,000 deaths before Easter.

Roughly 90,000 people live in Albany and surrounding Dougherty County. The virus’ effect has been outsized compared with the community’s population. Infections countywide have surpassed 100, including seven deaths, making it Georgia’s hardest-hit county outside metro Atlanta.

And there’s no sign of the crisis peaking soon. On Wednesday, the hospital was still waiting on 900 test results.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and...