Latest COVID-19 status report from DPH

December 17, 2020–10:36 a.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 Vaccine

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The first doses have already arrived and been administered in Georgia, and more doses are on the way.  It is expected the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be given a similar EUA in the coming days. This is good news as we work to end the COVID-19 pandemic in our state.

  • 84,825 Pfizer doses expected in Georgia for Phase I administration (number is subject to change)
  • 5,850 doses arrived 12-14 in Coastal Georgia at two sites:
  • 1,950 doses to Glynn County
  • 3,900 doses to Chatham County
  • Additional doses due to arrive 12-16  to two sites in metro Atlanta
  • Remaining doses of first allocation (~60,000) will roll out to hospitals, health departments and other providers late this week
  • Moderna vaccine anticipated to ship next week, pending EUA
    • Initial allocation ~174,000 doses

COVID-19 Cases

  • As of Dec. 14, there are 479,340 PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 67,218 antigen positive cases of COVID-19, cumulative in Georgia.
  • From 12/7 to 12/14, the seven-day average of new cases reported increased 13% over the previous seven-day average of new cases.
  • The seven-day average of new cases reported increased 18% from our previous peak July 24.
  • These weekly increases may appear small, but they reflect our highest case numbers ever, and are not decreasing or leveling off day to day

COVID-19 Testing

Georgia SPOCs

  • As of Dec. 14, the state reported 4,775,530 (cumulative) COVID-19 PCR tests reported to DPH through Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR).
  • The number of specimens collected at DPH SPOCs is 1,540,415.
  • From Dec. 7 – Dec.14, testing at SPOC locations increased 43% over the previous seven days.

Positivity Rate

The statewide percent positive (7-day moving average) for PCR tests increased 10% from 12% on Dec. 7 to 13.2% on Dec. 14.

Hospitalizations

Daily hospitalizations for COVID-19 have increased 18% from 2,502 on Dec. 7 to 2,968 on Dec. 15.

Emergency Department Visits

Emergency Department (ED) visits related to COVID-19 increased to 6% statewide and ILI (influenza-like illness) visits have remained flat at 2% statewide over the two week period Nov. 21 – Dec. 4.

The Georgia Department of Public Health monitors influenza (flu) activity year-round throughout the state with the help of volunteer sentinel healthcare providers. Click on this link to see the Weekly Flu Surveillance Report.

All Lab Positive (PCR and Antigen) COVID-19 Cases Among K-12 School Aged Children*

*Report reflects week of Nov. 30 – Dec. 6

All Lab Positive (PCR and Antigen) COVID-19 Cases by Age Category (Ages 0-22)

*Report reflects week  of Nov. 30 – Dec. 6

Outbreaks

Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: 130 (increase of 16 from previous week)   These outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for physical distancing and source control.

Counties with High Transmission Indicators*

*By county of residence, report reflects Nov. 28- Dec.11

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.

Local Weather