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Mask Requirement in Athens-Clarke County
The 24th local declaration of emergency approved by the Mayor & Commission on December 7, 2021 continues to include a mask requirement in certain instances.
- The local emergency order currently includes a mask requirement in public spaces and private entities.
- As per a statewide executive order issued by the governor, private entities must opt in to the requirement.
- As per the local order, the mask requirement is not enforced when the case rate is below 100 per 100,000 in the last 7 days per the CDC. As of December 22, 2021 the case rate is 122.34 per 100,000 in the last 7 days; therefore the mask requirement is enforceable.
- Although not a part of this order, but part of local operational policies, ACCGov buildings continue to have mask requirements when Athens-Clarke County is in substantial or high community transmission levels (case rate of 50 or more per 100,000 in 7 days as per the CDC). Notice should be posted on doors to ACCGov buildings.
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Omicron Spread and Prevention Measures for Holiday Gatherings
The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging Georgians to carefully follow COVID-19 prevention measures during holiday celebrations and gatherings to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
COVID case numbers are increasing daily, and the Omicron variant is spreading faster than any previous variant.
Surveillance for COVID variants is done through genomic sequencing of PCR positive test results. In Georgia, the most recent genomic sequencing is from week ending Dec. 4, and at that time, the Delta variant was responsible for 98% of new COVID cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses genomic sequencing data to project current variant proportions and now estimates Omicron accounts for more than 73% of new COVID cases in the United States. Given the rapid transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the current proportion of Omicron in Georgia is likely similar to that of the national estimate, and presumably will account for all new COVID cases in the state in the coming weeks.
Regardless of the variant, mitigation and prevention measures for COVID-19 are the same. To help prevent transmission and to reduce your risk of exposure DPH recommends:
- Get a COVID vaccination and booster dose.
- For young children who aren't yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, reduce the risk of exposure by making sure the people around them are vaccinated.
- Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth in public indoor settings.
- Physically distance, about six feet, around people outside of your own household.
- Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces and remember that outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
- If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, don’t host or attend a gathering.
- Follow CDC recommendations for holiday travel.
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you have symptoms or had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should be tested, regardless of your vaccination status.
Consider getting a COVID test before gathering indoors with others to determine if you’re positive for COVID and to reduce the risk of spreading infection. If you test positive, you should isolate and inform close contacts. A negative test result indicates either you are not infected or that you are at low risk of spreading disease to others, even though it does not necessarily rule out an infection.
To find a COVID vaccine or COVID testing location near you log on to dph.ga.gov.
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Self-Testing for COVID-19
Self-testing is one of several risk-reduction strategies to reduce the chances of COVID-19 transmission. They may be used regardless of vaccination or symptom status.
Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. If your self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider.
For more details on self-testing, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html.
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Positive UGA COVID-19 Tests Reported Through DawgCheck - (Dec. 6-12)
The University of Georgia DawgCheck tool gives members of the campus community the ability to self-monitor and to facilitate information sharing internally and with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). Any student or employee with a positive COVID-19 test is required to report the test in DawgCheck.
For the week of December 13, there were 49 reported positive COVID-19 tests through DawgCheck.
Last Five Weeks of Tests
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The table above reflects the total number of positive test results reported through DawgCheck each week. It is updated every Wednesday. Please note the following: - Positive tests reported through DawgCheck are from any of the approximately 50,000 faculty, staff, and students connected to the University of Georgia, whether located in Athens, extended campuses, extension offices across the state, or even other states and countries for students who elected to take online classes.
- The totals may include reports from individuals who have not been on campus recently, there may be delays in reporting, and the totals may even include individuals who have recovered.
- Therefore, the data do not serve as an accurate barometer of the current status of COVID-19 at any point in time at any one of UGA’s campuses.
- Since August 10, 2020 UGA has supported surveillance testing for asymptomatic individuals and clinical (Health Center) testing resources for symptomatic students as a means of distancing the two populations and optimizing the use of Health Center staff and the facility. Because students are showing symptoms when they request a test at the Health Center, it is expected that its tests would have a significantly higher positivity rate than would be the case for those who are asymptomatic when tested.
- Results of testing at the University Health Center (symptomatic) for the week of December 13 include a total of 169 clinical tests, with 12 positive results, for a positivity rate of 7%.
- Results of asymptomatic testing: 433 tests were conducted with 13 positive results for a positivity rate of 3%.
DawgCheck and other University of Georgia-related COVID information is available at the University Health Center website at https://uhs.uga.edu/healthtopics/covid-19-health-and-exposure-updates. |
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Clarke County School District COVID-19 Dashboard - December 22, 2021The CCSD COVID-19 Dashboard displays positive cases in the past 14 days and 30 days across the district and by each school, with hourly updates.
As of 5:00 PM on December 22, 2021, the dashboard shows: - 44 confirmed cases in December 2021 (34 on Dec. 15 report)
- 32 confirmed cases in November 2021
- 69 confirmed cases in October 2021
- 307 confirmed cases in September 2021
- 51 confirmed cases in the past 30 days (50 on Dec. 15 report)
- 27 new confirmed cases in the past two weeks (31 on Dec. 15 report)
- 0.5% of students and staff with confirmed cases in the last 30 days (0.5% on Dec.15 report)
- 0.1% of students and staff currently in quarantine (0.1% on Dec. 15 report)
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Free COVID-19 Vaccine Events
Below are some upcoming opportunities for free vaccinations from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Northeast Health District (NEHD). (Schedules subject to change by NEHD - verify information on the NEHD website.)
- No appointment needed
- Walk-ups welcome
- No insurance required
- No ID required
- $100 gift card incentive program for eligible participants
- Vaccines for 5 to 11-year-olds are available at the county health department clinics – they may not be available via the mobile outreach events unless specifically noted.
- Anyone under 18 years of age MUST have a parent present or a signed consent form.
Tuesday, December 28
Clarke Springfield Baptist Church
550 Fourth Street
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
School COVID Vaccine Events
None currently scheduled (check site for updates)Parents who wish to have their child vaccinated at a school-based event must return a signed consent form. The Athens-Clarke County COVID-19 vaccine incentive program provides $100 gift cards for those who live, work or attend school in Athens-Clarke County. The incentive program for first doses has ended for now. If you have previously (on or after September 3) received your first dose at the Clarke County Health Department or one of their outreach events, you are still eligible for the incentive for your second dose.Upcoming event listings are updated every Friday online on the NEHD websiteResources:
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