July 22, 2022 Update

COVID-19 Cases, Admissions & Deaths in Athens-Clarke County

Athens-Clarke County Remains in High COVID-19 Community Level

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest data report on Thursday, July 21, 2022 shows Athens-Clarke County remaining in a High COVID-19 Community Level. Athens-Clarke County's COVID-19 Community Level went from Low to High in CDC's report on Thursday, July 14.

Based on the Mayor and Commission's extension of a local declaration of a local state of emergency at their Special Called Session on July 19, 2022, masks are required in public spaces and private entities, with some limited exceptions, regardless of vaccination status when Athens-Clarke County is in a high community level. Private entities must opt-in to the mask requirement as per an executive order from the governor. The current local declaration is scheduled to expire on August 3, 2022, unless renewed, amended, or rescinded by the Mayor and Commission.

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government's (ACCGov) response policy requires all employees and members of the public, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face masks in any indoor, shared, or public ACCGov space and on Transit vehicles when Athens-Clarke County is in a period of high COVID-19 community level. Additionally, internal ACCGov operations during high community levels include capacity limitations for ACCGov buildings, in-person ACCGov meeting limitations, and distancing measures.

CDC looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days — to determine the COVID-19 community level. New COVID-19 admissions and the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied represent the current potential for strain on the health system. Data on new cases acts as an early warning indicator of potential increases in health system strain in the event of a COVID-19 surge. Using these data, the COVID-19 community level is classified as low, medium, or high.

For more information, visit www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

Recommendations for a High CDC Covid-19 Community Level

CDC Recommends Novavax's COVID-19 Vaccine for Adults

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine was recommended as another primary series option for adults ages 18 years and older.

The vaccine is not an mRNA vaccine like Pfizer’s or Moderna’s, but a more traditional protein-based vaccine that is delivered in two doses 3-8 weeks apart. Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the coming weeks.

Vaccines using protein subunits have been used for more than 30 years in the United States, beginning with the first licensed hepatitis B vaccine. Other protein subunit vaccines used in the United States today include those to protect against influenza, shingles, and whooping cough.

Read more about the CDC's recommended vaccine options at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

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
Vaccines for children 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, July 26
Hallmark Mobile Home Park
705 Spring Valley Road
Athens, GA 30605
11:00 AM-4:00 PM
All three adult, boosters, pediatric vaccines

Visit the NEHD events website or Facebook page for event updates

Resources:

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines at bit.ly/NEHDCOVIDVaccine.
PublicHealthIsForEveryone.com
Clarke County Health Department on Facebook

As of May 2022, this newsletter is sent to subscribers only on an irregular basis with significant local COVID-19 updates and news.