The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is providing the following information regarding the fight against COVID-19 in Georgia:

COVID-19 Cases

·         From 9/29 to 10/05, the seven-day average of new cases reported increased 3.4%.

·         The seven-day average of new cases reported is down 67% from our peak July 24.

·         As of Oct. 5, there are 323,714 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and approximately 21,348 probable cases of COVID-19, most identified through antigen testing. (A probable case meets at least one of the following criteria: has a positive antigen test on a respiratory specimen; OR has not had a confirmatory COVID-19 test but has symptoms compatible with COVID-19 AND a known exposure to a COVID-19 case; OR the individual has died and the death certificate lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.)

 

 

 

COVID-19 Testing

Georgia SPOCs

 

  • As of Oct. 5, the state reported 3,03,757 (cumulative) COVID-19, tests reported to DPH through Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR).
  • The number of specimens collected at DPH SPOCs is 1,079,698
  • DPH is operating 188 SPOCs, including mobile and pop-up locations statewide.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has received the first shipment of Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid COVID-19 Tests. The initial distribution contains 207,000 of the antigen tests, but Georgia is slated to receive 3 million tests by the end of the year. These first tests will be distributed to public health districts statewide for use in schools, colleges and universities, among first responders and other critical areas of need in communities statewide.

Positivity Rate

  • The statewide percent positivity (7-day moving average) for PCR tests increased from 6.3% on 9/28/20 to 7% on 10/05/20.

Hospitalizations

  • Daily hospitalizations for COVID-19 have decreased from 1,317 on Sept. 28 to 1,271 on Oct. 5, or a decrease of 3.5% in the past week. Hospitalizations have decreased 60% since a daily high of 3,200 on July 30.

Emergency Department Visits

Emergency Department (ED) visits related to COVID-19 and ILI (influenza-like illness) have remained flat over the two week period Sept. 19- Oct. 2.

 

 

 COVID-19 Cases Among K-12 School Aged Children*

 

 

*Report reflects Sept. 21-26

 

 

COVID-19 Cases by Age Category (Ages 0-22)*

 

 

*Report reflects week of Sept. 21-26

Outbreaks

Sept. 27- Oct. 3: 70     

These outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for physical distancing and source control. The highest number of outbreaks occurred in schools, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities and workplaces.

 

 

Counties with High Transmission Indicators*                

 

 

*By county of residence, report reflects Sept. 19 – Oct. 2