October 21, 2020–6:19 p.m.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is providing the following information regarding the fight against COVID-19 in Georgia:
COVID-19 Cases
- From 10/13 to 10/19, the seven-day average of new cases reported increased 3.8%.
- The seven-day average of new cases reported is down 65% from our peak July 24.
- As of Oct.13, there are 341,310 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and approximately 24,646 probable cases of COVID-19, most identified through antigen testing. (A probable case meets at least one of the following criteria: has a positive antigen test on a respiratory specimen; OR has not had a confirmatory COVID-19 test but has symptoms compatible with COVID-19 AND a known exposure to a COVID-19 case; OR the individual has died and the death certificate lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.)
COVID-19 Testing
Georgia SPOCs
- As of Oct. 19, the state reported 3,314,279 (cumulative) COVID-19, tests reported to DPH through Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR).
- The number of specimens collected at DPH SPOCs is 1,142,562
- DPH is operating more than 220 SPOCs, including mobile and pop-up locations statewide.
Positivity Rate
The statewide percent positivity (7-day moving average) for PCR test increased from 5.7% on Oct.12 to 5.9% on Oct.19 or about 4%.
Hospitalizations
Daily hospitalizations for COVID-19 have decreased slightly from 1,325 on Oct.13 to 1314 on Oct. 20. Hospitalizations have decreased 59% since a daily high of 3,200 on July 30.
Emergency Department Visits
Emergency Department (ED) visits related to COVID-19 and ILI (influenza-like illness) have remained flat statewide over the two week period Oct. 3-16
The Georgia Department of Public Health monitors influenza (flu) activity year-round throughout the state with the help of volunteer sentinel healthcare providers. Influenza activity is calucated based on the percentage of provider visits that are for “influenza-like illness” (fever >100° F AND cough and/or sore throat). Click on this link to see the Flu Surveillance Report.
COVID-19 Cases Among K-12 School Aged Children*
*Report reflects Oct. 5-9
COVID-19 Cases by Age Category (Ages 0-22)*
*Report reflects week Oct. 5-9
Outbreaks
Oct.11-17: 93 (decrease of 3 from previous week)
These outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for physical distancing and source control. The highest number of outbreaks occurred in schools, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities and workplaces.
Counties with High Transmission Indicators*
*By county of residence, report reflects Oct. 3-16
For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook.
For information about COVID-19, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.