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White County’s seven-day moving average of confirmed COVID-19 cases decreased recently after a slight increase last week.
White County’s seven-day moving average of confirmed COVID-19 cases decreased recently after a slight increase last week.
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s May 4 status report showed the average at 1.3 daily cases at that time, down from 2.3 on April 27. Recent figures include 1 on April 20, 0.9 on April 13, and 1.6 on April 6.
For the month of May, there have been three confirmed cases through May 3. There were 46 confirmed cases during April, a decrease from the 52 confirmed cases reported during March, the 187 in February, 656 in January, and 692 in December. In April 2020 there were 67 confirmed COVID cases in White County.
DPH lists 2,976 total confirmed cases during the pandemic and 67 local deaths attributed to COVID-19.
The White County School System released its weekly status report May 5, which showed there were zero students who had reported positive for COVID-19 and no students quarantined for possible exposure at that time. There were no reports of staff members currently with a positive COVID-19 test and no reports of a staff member quarantined for possible exposure.
A May 4 report from the Georgia Department of Public Health showed 13,317 vaccines had been administered in White County. The distribution report showed 7,391 residents had received at least one dose – about 25% of the population, with 6,177, residents considered fully vaccinated – about 21% of the population.
Public health officials continue to urge people get vaccinated as part the ongoing effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Fully vaccinated individuals may gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a face mask or social distancing, according to CDC guildelines, though the precautions are still recommended in public around crowds.
Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp has lifted virtually all restrictions the governor imposed on businesses more than a year ago when the coronavirus pandemic struck Georgia.
In an executive order that took effect May 1, Kemp eliminated all distancing requirements for bars and restaurants and mask requirements for workers. He also lifted all restrictions covering gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, body art studios, hairstylists and massage therapists.
In lifting the restrictions, Kemp cited the success of the state’s vaccine distribution program and the sufficient availability of personal protective equipment.
The order also relaxed the social distancing and sanitation requirements for residents and visitors to “strongly encouraged.”
Concerts, sporting events and graduation ceremonies – regardless of seating capacity – will only be required to follow the guidelines of sponsoring organizations.
Kemp first clamped down in March of last year as COVID-19 cases began to mount, imposing a shelter-in-place order, closing bars and restaurants and limiting large gatherings.
The new order will remain in effect through May 30.