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COVID update
The rate of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in White County declined over the past week, though it remains on par with elevated levels seen last winter.
The seven-day moving average of confirmed cases for the county was at a rate of 22.1 cases per day according to a Sept. 14 update by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), down from 38.1 on Sept. 7. (The average reached a new high of 39.1 on Sept. 8.)
There have been 422 confirmed cases reported for the month through Sept. 14 for the county. (DPH notes only positives from PCR tests are used to identify confirmed cases.) The state public health update now shows 678 confirmed reports in the county for August, up from 89 confirmed case reports in July.
The county’s top monthly case count during the pandemic was 697 in December 2020.
DPH lists White County as having 4,209 confirmed cases diagnosed from PCR testing and 93 confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19 during the pandemic. In addition, there have been 297 positives reported from antigen tests and 13 probable COVID-19 deaths, according to DPH.
Meanwhile, state public health reported that 9,904 of the county’s residents are now considered fully vaccinated, around 34% of the population, as of Sept. 14. A total of 11,381 people are listed as having received at least one vaccine dose, about 39% of the population.
DPH reports that 45% of Georgians are considered fully vaccinated and 53% have received at least one dose.
The spreading of the Delta variant of the coronavirus has been cited in the recent surges in COVID-19 cases that have strained resources for EMS and hospitals throughout the state. Public health officials say the variant is more transmissible than the original virus and more likely to cause severe illness and hospitalization than other variants.
All Georgians aged 12 and older are being urged to get vaccinated, wear a mask in public settings and wash their hands frequently.
Those wishing to get a vaccine are advised to check with the their local health department, healthcare provider or pharmacy.
Courts Affected
Superior Court judges of the Enotah Judicial Circuit issued an order, effective Sept. 13, declaring a local judicial emergency that will suspect all jury trials and Grand Jury proceedings for 30 days.
Citing COVID-19 case information from healthcare authorities and hospitals in the Circuit’s four counties – White, Lumpkin, Towns and Union – the order notes if the current medical situation continues, the suspension will be extended for another 30-day period under Georgia law.
As other court operations continue, the order also outlines public health precautions to be taken to limit the potential spread of COVID-19, as well as encourages courts to use video proceedings when feasible.
A full copy of the order can be viewed under the “News & Announcements” heading at whitecountyga.gov.
In a related court development related to recent higher COVID-19 infections and hospital strain, White County Probate Judge Don Ferguson has announced the cancellation of traffic court for Oct. 6-7. Traffic court will resume Nov. 10, Ferguson said.