While the Georgia Department of Public Health is seeing an uptick in new Covid cases and hospitalizations related to Covid, the numbers remain relatively low, compared to the state’s peak in January 2022 or even summer Covid increases in previous years.
The increases DPH is currently seeing are likely a combination of a new Covid variant, people not prioritizing prevention measures, more summer travel and people at large gatherings, and some waning of immunity from vaccination or prior infection, according to a DPH District 4 news release Aug. 28.
The new variant, EG.5, which has been nicknamed “Eris,” is the dominant Covid variant spreading in the U.S. It is responsible for about 17 percent of new Covid cases in the country and about 16 percent of new cases in Georgia, DPH says.
Early data indicates Eris may be more easily transmissible than some other variants, but it does not appear to cause more severe disease. The CDC says the current Covid vaccine is effective against Eris, and Eris infections are picked up by Covid tests.
District 4 Public Health’s county health departments offer Covid vaccines, self-test kits, and PCR testing with no out-of-pocket costs to individuals. If a patient has insurance, the health department may bill the company for administrative costs related to the vaccine. District 4 includes Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties.
To schedule an appointment for a Covid vaccine at any District 4 health department, visit www.district4health.org/make-an-appointment or call (800) 847-4262.
Vaccination remains the best protection against Covid and will help prevent serious complications and hospitalization if you do get sick, DPH says. In general, everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated for Covid. You can find specific information about vaccine recommendations by age at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#everyone-6-and-older.
In addition to staying up to date on vaccinations, get tested for Covid if you have symptoms. Covid tests are widely available over the counter, and you may also pick up a free self-test kit at your local health department. County health departments also offer Covid PCR testing on specific days of the week; visit www.district4health.org/locations for information.
Henry and Lamar counties also have kiosks for 24/7 access to a PCR test kit. Kiosks are located at the Henry County Public Safety Annex, 108 S. Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough, and also at the Lamar County Health Department, 100 Academy Drive in Barnesville.
There are several effective treatments for Covid, so contact your healthcare provider right away if you test positive. Treatment must be started within a few days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.
Basic prevention measures should be followed to help prevent further spread of Covid and mitigate outbreaks of infection — covering your coughs, sneezing into your elbow, throwing away used tissues, washing your hands frequently with soap and water, and staying home if you’re sick.
It is important to stay informed about Covid, but be sure you get your information from reliable sources such as District 4 at www.district4health.org, DPH at www.dph.georgia.gov/Covid-19, the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, or your healthcare provider.
DPH will continue to closely monitor Covid data and provide updates as needed.
Oh my, and there’s a killer algae in the lake and MAGA people want to lock up all the Dems (or maybe I got that one backwards).
Better mandate those masks again, the ones that have been scientifically proved (again) to be completely ineffective against any respiratory virus. I seem to recall a certain tie-dye wearing School Board member publicly berating parents for stating this truth back when you were not allowed to question the ‘authorities’. Wonder if he ever apologized?
Better force all to take a shot that is not only ineffective but seems to harm young people in particular. But since Trump is not in office no such mandatory actions would happen…you know ’cause he’s an authoritarian…not like the empathetic grandpa in office today. I’m sure glad he didn’t lose his Corvette in the kitchen fire, and sleepy Joe would never mandate a medical procedure!
Idiots.
#1 the covid test does not work. If they spin the sample enough you will always find the covid(cold) in the sampling. The scientist that designed the covid test did not even think it would work. Of course he committed suicide?? a few week after he released that information.
#2 The name for the new covid. ID 10T Think about it.
Remember, Corvid was never serious enough to shut down the borders. That’s a fact. Then again a presidential election is coming up and the sheep have to be conditioned for next shut down and getting one candidate back into a basement.
In situations like this ignorance is not bliss. Anyone still believing in jabs has obviously never taken the time to read the actual ingredients.
You can’t inject toxins to become healthier. Rape heavy and soft metals. How the marketing convinced people otherwise is beyond me. Liars gonna continue to lie until you make a conscious decision to learn. Learn something new today & become healthier tomorrow
I like you, Spyglass. We agree on some things and disagree on others. As for me, I’m prepared to mask up and stay up-to-date on my vaccines and boosters. I make a serious effort to avoid making others ill.
Doug – if the vaccines and boosters are so effective….why do you have to keep taking them? And why are there lower covid rates among people who have natural immunity,, than among those who have been vaccinated?
“if the vaccines and boosters are so effective….why do you have to keep taking them?”
Why do we get a new flu shot every year?
“And why are there lower covid rates among people who have natural immunity,, than among those who have been vaccinated”
What is your source?
I have quite a few that indicate the exact opposite of your claim:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-natural-immunity-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html#anchor_1635539757101
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34383732/
Thank you for understanding that many of us will need higher standards of proof in order to change our minds.
I took the shots to begin with to be able to travel. I am of the opinion that may have helped some in the beginning..
First we were told we wouldn’t get Covid we took the shots, then we were told we would need a booster to be “safe”…then we were told the symptoms would lessened..the narrative keeps changing.
I don’t go out in public if I’m sick..that’s how I handle myself. That said, luckily, I’m very rarely sick..I eat a lot of dirt..as my Grandparents used to say.
Not getting tested, not getting jabbed…
Certainly your prerogative, Spy. I hope you don’t get sick, but if you develop respiratory symptoms, please keep your distance from the rest of us since you will not know your diagnosis for sure. Thanks!
See above.