COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations in Georgia increase

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COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations on the rise in Georgia

Georgia health officials have seen a steady increase in the number of new cases and hospitalizations in the state since July 4. Health experts warn that it is only a matter of time before everyone is exposed to the virus, but it can be through a safe and effective vaccine or through the deadly virus.

ATLANTA – The number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Georgia has increased in recent weeks. The numbers have not declined since the weekend of July 4.

The state’s seven-day average of new cases stood at 743, up from 365 on June 25, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Some 663 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 – just over 4% of the state’s patient count and up from 423 on June 19, according to state data.

Both figures are far from January’s peaks, but health experts say they show there is a need for more people to get vaccinated. Only 39% of state residents are fully immunized, well below the rate in other states.

SEE ALSO: Calls to be fully immunized as COVID-19 cases in Georgia, hospitalizations rise again

Self-quarantine advice for people infected or at risk of coronavirus

Wearing face masks and not sharing personal items are essential for maintaining good health.

SEE ALSO: Georgia Hospital System Requires Doctors To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Health officials have seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations across the country in recent weeks. Confirmed infections reached an average of around 23,600 per day on Monday, up from 11,300 on June 23, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. And all but two states – Maine and South Dakota – have reported that the number of cases has increased in the past two weeks.

Even with the latest increase, cases in the United States are nowhere near their peak of a quarter of a million per day in January. And deaths are less than 260 per day on average after reaching over 3,400 over the winter, a testament to how well the vaccine can prevent serious illness and death in those who are infected.

Yet amid the rise, health officials in places such as Los Angeles County and St. Louis are even begging those with immunity to resume wearing masks in public.

SEE ALSO: At 24, Florida Man Undergoes Double Lung Transplant After COVID-19 Destroys Lungs

An overview of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia

The FOX 5 I-Team analyzed the numbers from raw data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health to determine the effectiveness of the three coronavirus vaccines approved in the state.

A FOX 5 I-Team survey from mid-January to mid-June this year, almost all Georgians hospitalized or killed by COVID-19 had not been vaccinated or had yet to have full vaccine protection against the virus.

According to data reported to Georgia’s DPH from hospitals and other sources, between January 19 and June 15, 64 fully vaccinated Georgians were hospitalized with COVID-19. 14 others died.

But consider that during the same five-month period, 10,800 Georgians were hospitalized; 7091 died.

SEE ALSO: Governor Kemp “comfortable” authorizes expiration of public health emergency

This translates to 99.4% of all Georgians hospitalized who were not vaccinated or had not been fully protected. For deaths, it is even more important: 99.8% died unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

A Yale School of Public Health and Commonwealth Fund study published last week estimates that the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines has prevented nearly 300,000 additional deaths.

The researchers say that without the current vaccination program in place, by the end of June 2021, there would have been 1.25 million more hospitalizations.

SEE ALSO: Should you mask yourself again because of the Delta variant? An expert intervenes

Meanwhile, the leading national infectious disease expert said last week that the three COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use by the FDA – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – are effective against the highly infectious delta variant. .

Dr Anthony Fauci cited various studies, including three separate real-world studies that showed Pfizer to be 79%, 88% and 96% effective against the delta variant.

The delta variant overtakes other strains and is spreading in the United States, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

SEE ALSO: International travelers concerned about Delta variant of COVID-19

Why Social Distancing Can Save Lives Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Social distancing isn’t just about preventing the disease itself, but rather slowing down the rate at which people get sick.

Georgia health officials teamed up with Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend to promote the vaccination at a concert before a NASCAR race. They will look for other opportunities to promote the vaccine.

State health officials said on Tuesday that just over 4 million people in the state were fully vaccinated. That’s less than 38% of the state’s current population according to the US Census.

Nationally, 55.6% of all Americans have received at least one injection of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The five states with the largest two-week jump in per capita cases all had lower vaccination rates: Missouri, 45.9%; Arkansas, 43%; Nevada, 50.9%; Louisiana, 39.2%; and Utah, 49.5%.