CAIRO — A vaccine for the novel coronavirus is “on the horizon,” according to the director of the Grady County Health Department, and efforts are underway to determine how to best inoculate people once it arrives.

Health Department Director Michelle Thornton said Thursday that local clinics planning on providing COVID-19 vaccines must be able to administer doses to staff members first. Facilities must also be able to maintain adequate temperatures for storage.

“Although we do not have a date for expected COVID-19 vaccine delivery, we need to be prepared ahead of time,” Thornton said in an email to local healthcare providers, first responders and government leaders. “Once it arrives there will be little time for ‘just in time’ training.”

Thornton said she has been planning with the Grady County Emergency Management Agency for how best to roll out the vaccine once it arrives.

So-called “first tier” vaccines will be administered to first responders, healthcare workers and employees at long-term care facilities before being distributed to the public at large.

Thornton’s announcement comes on the heels of another county resident succumbing to the virus Wednesday — the 26th death the county has recorded since the pandemic began. The Georgia Department of Public Health also lists three “probable deaths” that were likely due to the virus as well.

Thirteen new cases of the virus were identified this week in Grady County, according to DPH — the fifth consecutive week the county has recorded 20 new cases of the virus or fewer. One individual was admitted to the hospital earlier this week due to experiencing symptoms.

Another 11 positive cases were recorded through less reliable rapid-result antigen tests.

Drive-through COVID-19 tests will continue to be administered at the Grady County Health Department through the end of the month. Patients can be tested at the Health Department testing site on 4th Street SE on the following days:

• Monday, November 16, 8:30-11 a.m.

• Friday, November 20, 8:30-11 a.m.

• Tuesday, November 24, 8:30-11 a.m.

• Saturday, November 28, 9-11 a.m.

Additional testing dates may be added to accommodate high demand.

Patients are asked to make an appointment prior to receiving a test by visiting www.covid19.dph.ga.gov.