Officials with the University System of Georgia (USG) report that they are beginning to see early declines in COVID-19 cases amid efforts by officials to encourage students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear masks inside campus facilities. This report disputes a claim last week by several Atlanta news organizations that there are a growing number of cases of COVID-19 across Georgia college campuses.
According to information released by USG, each of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities continues to monitor COVID-19 positivity numbers. As happened last fall and spring, some campuses experienced increases in positive COVID-19 tests as classes launched for fall semester several weeks ago. However, these increases have typically been followed by declines as the semester has continued, and several USG institutions are reporting similar campus trends now. In fact, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, the University of North Georgia and the University of Georgia have all reported a decline in cases.
Officials said USG institutions have ramped up vaccination campaigns for their campus communities and stressed continuing health and safety protocols. A majority of institutions offer incentives for those getting the vaccines. This includes everything from T-shirts and $50 bookstore credits to weekly prize drawings ranging from $100 to as much as $1,000 for those who are fully vaccinated. USG is also offering incentives to employees — who can earn $200 for themselves and $200 for their spouses for a total of $400 through the Well-being credit program through the system’s payroll. USG is also offering paid administrative leave to give people time to get their shots, and as a thank you to those who are already vaccinated.
The report also stated that the numbers of positive cases at Georgia Southern have fallen to 72, down from 113 the week prior. At the University of Georgia, week-over-week case totals dropped 68 percent from 505 cases last week to 164 this week. Georgia Tech’s seven day rolling average for positivity rates dropped below 1 percent last week and is currently .5 percent.
“Thank you to the students, faculty and staff who have gotten vaccinated and taken seriously all we’ve asked them to do to keep themselves and their campuses safe,” Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney said. “We appreciate everyone who’s wearing a mask on campus, staying home when they’re not feeling well, getting tested and, most of all, getting vaccinated. It’s making a difference.”
Institutions have also increased services to support mental health across campuses statewide through the USG Mental Health Initiative. Launched in August 2020, the initiative is funded by Governor Kemp through the Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding, set aside by the federal CARES Act. USG has also provided additional PPE to campuses over the past two months to include a thousand gallons of sanitizer and disinfectant solution, 21,400 gowns, 432,000 masks and face shields and 942,000 gloves.
