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CDC Launches New COVID-19 Community Level Ranking System
CDC is updating the way it monitors COVID-19’s impact on our communities. Widespread availability of vaccines and testing, advances in treatments, and increasing levels of immunity in the population through vaccination or previous infection have moved the COVID-19 pandemic to a new phase. While we can’t prevent all cases of COVID-19, we can continue to limit the spread and protect those who are most at risk of severe illness.
Given this new phase of the pandemic, CDC is launching a new tool to monitor COVID-19 Community Levels. Each county’s COVID-19 Community Level is ranked as low, medium, or high (find your county’s level). The COVID-19 Community Level map where you can find your county’s level will be updated regularly with new data. Your community’s level is determined by a combination of: - How many people with COVID-19 have been admitted into local hospitals in the last week
- How many local hospital beds are filled with COVID-19 patients
- How many new COVID-19 cases the county has had in the last week
CDC recommends certain prevention measures—such as wearing masks indoors—when COVID-19 Community Levels are high enough to strain the healthcare system and when needed to protect those at increased risk of severe illness.
This allows people to take a break from masks and other measures when risk is low and reach for them again if things are getting worse. The community level metrics, which focus on the number of severe cases that require hospital care and use healthcare resources, and thus are a measure of more serious disease, provide a better picture of COVID-19’s impact on the health of individual people and communities. The COVID-19 Community Level metrics will help people and public health authorities decide which prevention measures to take.
Get vaccinated if you’re eligible (everyone 5 and older is eligible), wear a mask indoors in areas where the COVID-19 Community Level is high, increase ventilation in indoor spaces, and stay home when sick. If you aren’t up to date on your vaccinations, find a vaccine.
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Athens-Clarke County Updated Mask Guidelines
The 27th local declaration of emergency approved by the Mayor & Commission on March 1, 2022 continues to include a mask requirement in public spaces and private entities under certain conditions.
- 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 (see below).
- The CDC case rate is updated in a graphic every Wednesday below, on social media, and at www.accgov.com/coronavirus. Daily updates are available at the CDC website.
- 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 as to requirements.
- Masks are optional for entering the Courthouse as of March 1
- Masks are optional for ACCGov facilities based on CDC guidance due to a case rate below 50 per 100,000 as of March 1.
- Masks are required on Transit buses as per federal regulations.
- Masks are recommended for use in correctional facilities by CDC guidance.
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Positive UGA COVID-19 Tests Reported Through DawgCheck - (Feb. 21-28)
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 February 21, there were 31 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.
- For the week of February 21, 2022, the University Health Center conducted a total of 113 clinical tests, with 2 positive results, for a positivity rate of 1.77%.
- Results of asymptomatic testing for the week of February 21-27, 2022: 358 tests (12% faculty, 19% staff & 69% students) had 3 positive results for a positivity rate of 0.84%.
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 - March 2, 2022The CCSD COVID-19 Dashboard displays positive cases in the past 7, 14 and 30 days across the district and by each school, with hourly updates.
As of 6:00 PM on March 2, 2022, the dashboard shows: - 180 cases in February 2022 (176 on Feb. 23 report)
- 1,532 cases in January 2022
- 49 cases in December 2021
- 33 cases in November 2021
- 71 cases in October 2021
- 312 cases in September 2021
- 182 cases in the past 30 days (417 on Feb. 23 report)
- 24 cases in the past 14 days (58 on Feb. 23 report)
- <10 cases in the past 7 days (18 on Feb. 23 report)
- 1.9% of students and staff with cases in the last 30 days (3.4% on Feb. 23 report)
- 0.3% of students and staff with cases in the last 14 days (0.4% on Feb. 23 report)
- 0.2% of students and staff with cases in the last 7 days (0.2% on Feb. 23 report)
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Free COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Events
Below are some upcoming opportunities for free vaccinations from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Northeast Health District (NEHD) at mobile locations. (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.
Saturday, March 5
Athens Rock, Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry Show
The Classic Center 300 N Thomas St, Athens, GA 30601
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pediatric (ages 5-11) doses available 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. 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 at either mobile events or the Health Department.
Gift cards are available from the Northeast Health District to first-time vaccinated individuals only at mobile vaccination events.Upcoming event listings are updated every Friday online on the NEHD websiteResources:
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