COVID Update: 77 new local cases and five deaths
New cases, hospitalizations, and deaths attributed to COVID-19 have been on a downward trend recently as the country begins to see recovery from the most recent surge. New daily cases are the lowest they have been since August, according to CDC data.
From Thursday through Monday, Gordon County had 77 new cases and five deaths. Statewide, there were 13,031 new cases and 431 deaths.
This indicates that Gordon County has stayed on track with the country’s overall decline in new COVID-19 cases as numbers are lower than last week. Georgia’s cases have remained steady over the same time period.
As of October 1, Gordon County Schools reported 19 cases in students and no cases in staff. Calhoun City Schools reported three cases in students and no cases in staff.
These numbers represent a marked decrease in cases for both GCS and CCS, with both school systems reporting new lows since the systems began reporting their case counts.
While children under 12 are currently unable to be vaccinated until an FDA decision regarding vaccination for younger children, mask policies may contribute to a lower incidence of pediatric cases of COVID-19 as well as outbreaks in schools.
According to data published by the CDC in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, mask policies in schools decrease incidences of COVID-19. One study showed that schools without mask protocols were 3.5x more likely to have outbreaks of COVID, while counties without school mask policies had 2x more pediatric cases.
Locally, Gordon County Schools encourage but do not require students to wear masks. Calhoun City Schools have required masks since the beginning of the school year when social distancing is not possible.
Dr. Gary Voccio, health
director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, continues to push for vaccination as a way to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated such as those who are under 12 years of age.
“Currently, less than 40% of our Northwest Georgia population has been fully immunized against COVID-19,” said Voccio. “If you haven’t yet been vaccinated, please do so now. Do it for yourself, for your loved ones, and for others in our community, especially those children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination.”
Additionally, on Sept. 29, the CDC issued a health advisory in an attempt to increase vaccination rates in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who may become pregnant. They stated that only 31% of pregnant people are vaccinated, but that the vaccine’s known benefits outweigh the known or possible risks.
“Pregnancy can be both a special time and also a stressful time – and pregnancy during
a pandemic is an added concern for families,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H. “I strongly encourage those who are pregnant or considering pregnancy to talk with their healthcare provider about the protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep their babies and themselves safe.”
To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine or booster appointment, log on to dph.georgia.gov/covidvaccine or call 888-457-0186 for the Health Department Vaccine
Scheduling Resource Line. The Gordon County Health Department, 310 N. River Street, Calhoun, is now offering flu shots on a walk-in basis.
Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or those who have been in close contact with an individual with COVID-19, should be tested regardless of vaccination status. At DPH/Mako Medical test sites, testing is free of charge.
To find a COVID-19 test site, log on to dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting.