Public Health Reports Rapid Rise in COVID-19 Cases
Cobb County Government to Institute Mask Requirement in County Facilities
Public Health advises current COVID surge shows “no sign of slowing down”
Marietta, GA | August 17 -- After meeting with Public Health officials, and learning of the increase in Covid-19 cases within the county workforce, Cobb County Manager, Dr. Jackie McMorris, announced that masks will be required for anyone entering county facilities effective this Friday.
“As the result of what is going on across the nation, the region, and of course here in Cobb, we’ve had to make some tough decisions on what we are going to do here in Cobb County Government,” Dr. McMorris said.
The requirement extends to Cobb County employees as well as visitors, contractors, and vendors. Those inside county facilities will be asked to wear a mask where they cannot socially distance and are in close spaces near others.
The move comes as the COVID case rate in Cobb spikes to more than six times what is considered “high community spread.” Public Health officials say the delta variant is responsible for this latest spike.
“We’re in the second month of this and it just does not seem to be going away,” said Dr. Janet Memark, Director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health. “Right now we’re seeing younger people being hospitalized, and we continue to see hospitals that are dangerously low on critical care beds and medical-surgical beds.”
The action does not affect outdoor Cobb facilities, including parks and the amphitheater. Social distancing will be re-implemented at the county’s public meetings.
In a video message to employees, Dr. McMorris said she understood many are tired and frustrated with the ongoing pandemic.
“Do what’s right,” she said, urging employees to keep our work environment a safe and healthy place. “We sometimes spend more time with each other than with our biological family. We need to take care of each other.”
NOTE: The video can be viewed on our Cobb County YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/MsIRTqiEtg4
Please note this affects Cobb Co. Government Buildings ONLY. The county government is a separate entity from the Cobb County School District and has no jurisdiction over its operations.
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UPDATED | August 13 --
Cobb County is nearing five times what’s considered “high community spread” of the COVID-19 virus, the positive rate of tests continues to climb and hospital space is limited.
Cobb and Douglas Public Health issued the latest update Friday afternoon. Please read it here: https://mailchi.mp/dph/covid-19-update-august-13-21?e=3a2659dbfa
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The halt in residential evictions has been extended into October. For details please click here.
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UPDATED | August 6 - Public Health officials say cases of COVID-19 have doubled each week for the past four weeks.
- 48% of Cobb residents are fully vaccinated.
- Cobb is up to 399 cases per 100,000 residents (100 cases/100K is considered high spread)
- 11.8% of those being tested are coming up positive (5% or less preferred by public health)
- The fast-spreading “delta variant” makes up more than 85% of new cases
- More COVID cases are being reported than last summer’s surge
- Once you receive your first vaccination shot, it takes 4-5 weeks to become fully effective
Health officials are recommending both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks while indoors around others.
Please get vaccinated as soon as possible. Visit https://www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com to find a location.
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Cobb and Douglas Public Health officials report a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases as the "delta variant" rolls through the population, primarily among the unvaccinated.
Although Cobb County is not implementing a mask mandate, residents are urged to follow the latest CDC guidelines.
For details on those guidelines and other information on this latest surge, please watch our latest video with Dr. Janet Memark.