County COVID-19 cases remain low

White County’s seven-day moving average of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped over the past week.

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s April 6 status report showed the average at 1.6 daily cases at that time, down from 3 on March 30. Recently figures include 1.7 on March 23 and 1.4 on March 16.

For the month, there had been 1 confirmed cases reported through April 6. There were 52 confirmed cases reported during March, a notable drop from 186 in February, 656 in January and 672 in December.

DPH lists 2,935 total confirmed cases during the pandemic and 65 local deaths attributed to COVID-19.

State Public Health also reported that nearly 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in White County  as of April 6.

The distribution report showed 5,906 residents had received at least one does – about 20% of the population, with 4,271 residents considered fully vaccinated – about 14% of the population. (Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose.)

Those wanting to get vaccines may find opportunities much easier to come by recently.

The White County Health Department continues to offer vaccinations. MedLink Georgia’s White County office no longer has a waitlist and is scheduling appointments in the same week or the following week, said practice manager Carolina Munoz.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency announced April 6 that it would temporarily be offering vaccinations with no appointment necessary at the Habersham County Fairgrounds Mass Vaccination Site in Clarkesville. (4235 Toccoa Highway, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The Agency still encourages the public to schedule an appointment to expedite the process and guarantee receipt of a vaccine. The site is accepting people age 16 or older. Participants must bring proof of age to the appointment in the form of government-issued ID or a birth certificate.