On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp renewed a number of COVID-19 restrictions but emphasized that Georgia has made progress in the fight against the virus.
“In late July, I asked Georgians to do ‘Four Things for Four Weeks’ to stop COVID-19. Without a mandate, our citizens answered the call, and we are making progress. But we can’t take our foot off the gas now.”
Kemp’s latest Executive Order extends the shelter in place order for the medically fragile, continues the ban on large gatherings, and maintains health and safety protocols for Georgia businesses.
According to Kemp, Georgia’s numbers appear to be trending in the right direction. The statewide case numbers have dropped 22 percent over the last two weeks, and daily hospitalizations have decreased by 7 percent in the last seven days. The state is testing, on average, over 31,000 Georgians daily while maintaining a low rate of transmission. Kemp went on to say that the positivity rate is on the decline, and the mortality rate continues to fall.
“While we are encouraged by the data, we cannot grow complacent,” the Governor said.
In this latest order, Kemp also addressed mandates being imposed by city or county officials across Georgia.
“This order also protects Georgia businesses from government overreach by restricting the application and enforcement of local masking requirements to public property. While I support local control, it must be properly balanced with property rights and personal freedoms.
“As always, we encourage citizens to wear masks, watch their distance, wash hands, and continue to follow the guidance provided in the Executive Order. Together, we will protect the lives, livelihoods, and personal freedoms of all Georgians.”
According to a report by the Department of Public Health, Georgia has seen a downward trajectory of cases for two weeks now — between August 3 and August 9. The highest percent of case numbers still come from the high population counties in metro Atlanta (Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb have the highest case numbers) but these counties are actually experiencing decreases now, according to the report.
Other highlights from the DPH report:
● Positivity rates are decreasing from 11.86 percent on July 27 to 10.98 percent on August 3 to 9.5 percent on August 9.
● Daily hospitalizations have decreased 6.62 percent in the past seven days — from 3,006 on August 6 to 2,807 on August 13.
● Emergency Department (ED) visits related to COVID-19 are slightly decreasing and ILI visits are slightly decreasing.
According to the DPH report, while Georgia is seeing decreases in many other areas, the state continues to see growth and/or high transmission in rural middle Georgia (Bleckley, Appling, Wayne, Taylor, Crawford), NW Georgia (driven partially by many outbreaks in manufacturing facilities), east central Georgia and areas of south Georgia. The report states that these increases are driven by ongoing community transmission, as well as outbreaks.
These reports state that these outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for distancing and source control.
These setting include:
● Long-term care facilities: 23
● Schools/school athletic teams: 14
● Offices/workplaces: 14
● Manufacturing facilities: 13
● Prisons/jails: 13
● Churches: 8
● Restaurants: 4
Outbreaks were also documented in hospitals/outpatient facilities, daycares and grocery stores, according to the report.
