COVID cases climb; state begins booster vaccines on limited scale

COVID-19 cases in White County have climbed to levels similar to those seen during the fall and winter when the community experienced its highest infection rates.

The county’s seven-day moving average of daily reported COVID-19 cases had reached 24.1 as of a Aug. 24 report from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). That’s up from 20.4 on Aug. 17.

Previous averages have been 14.4 on Aug. 10, 9.4 on Aug. 3, 3.6 on July 27 and 1.9 on July 20.

The 24.1 average is highest in the county since it was at 25.3 on Jan. 16, only two days after reaching the peak average of 30.

By comparison, White County’s average did not exceed 3 daily cases from March 6 to July 27. Through the Aug. 24 DPH update, there have been 435 reported cases this month, more than was reported in February through July combined this year (419).

There were 89 reported cases in July 2021.

The county’s top monthly case counts during the pandemic include 697 in December 2020, 653 in January 2021 and 385 in September 2020.

DPH lists 3,544 total reported cases in the county since the start of the pandemic, with 75 local deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, state public health reported that 31.3% of White County’s population is considered fully vaccinated, which ranks 101st out of Georgia’s 159 counties. The report showed 35.7% of residents have had at least one vaccine dose.

The report shows about 42.5% of Georgians are considered fully vaccinated. Fayette County leads the way at 54.4%, with Long County’s 16.1% at the bottom.

In an Aug. 25 update, North Georgia Health System listed 260 COVID-19 positive patients in its care, with 85% of those not being fully vaccinated.

White County Public Safety Director David Murphy gave similar figures in a Monday morning interview with the News, in which he spoke of ways people can help slow spread of the virus.

“That doesn’t mean that if you’re vaccinated that you won’t get sick. It doesn’t mean that you can’t test positive for COVID, but vaccinated patients typically do not have to go into the hospital,” Murphy said.

Those wishing to get a vaccine are advised to check with their local physician’s office or pharmacy. Murphy said planning is also underway for community vaccination clinics, such as those previously done in conjunction with the White County Health Department, to begin some time after Labor Day.

Murphy said those who feel sick or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home to limit to risk of exposing others. Along with mask wearing, thoroughly washing hands and social distancing, other mitigation methods include fully covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces you touch.

“We’re hoping that we can quickly get this under control and start moving back to the other direction,” Murphy said.

More notes

• The District 2 Public Health office announced Aug. 19 it would begin working with health departments to administer the additional vaccine dose to individuals with weakened immune systems. DPH advises people to talk to their healthcare provider about whether additional dose is appropriate for them, as health departments will require a signed doctor’s statement that includes the specific health condition a person is experiencing. Forms and more information is available at phdistrict2.org.

The additional dose has only been approved for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at this time, but not for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

Georgia DPH said booster shots for other individuals could be available in late September.

• On Aug. 20, Enotah Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Raymond George issued an order implementing requirement of face coverings, social distancing and temperature checks again for anyone entering the courthouse effective Aug. 23.