Local-area COVID surge continues

There have been 16 new COVID-related deaths in September through Thursday

Over Labor Day weekend, cases of COVID-19 continued to rise statewide and across the country, and local cases were no exception.

From Friday through Thursday, Gordon County had 192 new reported cases and 10 confirmed deaths. This brings the monthly COVID-related death total to 16. Statewide, there were 32,043 new cases and 412 deaths.

As the nation as a whole surpasses 650,000 deaths and Georgia soars past 23,000, hospitals continue to feel pressure.

Locally, AdventHealth Gordon and Gordon County have agreed to allow county employees to assist at the hospital when not on-duty.

Currently, the AdventHealth Gordon facility is well over capacity. Hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 across the country are at their highest since January 2021.

As in the previous winter surge, individuals 80 and older are seeing the highest rates of hospitalization. However, according to data from the CDC, the rate of hospitalization in this age group is far lower than in previous waves.

Worth noting is the high vaccination rate among America’s senior population. Those 65 years or older have the highest rate of vaccination out of any age bracket, both countrywide and at home in Gordon County.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or those who have been in close contact with an individual with COVID-19, should be tested. Those who test positive should self-isolate as per local guidelines and participate in contact tracing.

To schedule a vaccine appointment, log on to dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine or call 888-457-0186 for the Health Department Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line.