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ATLANTA – Georgia has now lost more than 20,000 people to COVID-19 as cases continue to rise across the state, mostly among the unvaccinated.
Georgia’s health ministry reported on Friday that 20,041 have died from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
This includes 106 additional deaths reported on Friday. The state also reported 9,119 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the third highest total of new cases in a 24-hour period since the start of the pandemic.
“It is tragic but not surprising that we have passed this grim milestone of 20,000 COVID deaths in our state,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, MD, MPH, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “97% of COVID deaths since we had a vaccine are unvaccinated individuals. These deaths are preventable.
This week, Georgia sees more people hospitalized with COVID-19 than at any time during the pandemic. More than 6,000 patients are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus. The previous record for hospitalizations during the winter peak was 5,700. COVID-19 patients represent nearly 34% of those hospitalized in Georgia.
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More than 95% of intensive care beds across the state were occupied as of Friday, with every region in Georgia approaching or exceeding ICU capacity.
The Wellstar Health System, which operates 12 hospitals in the Atlanta metro area, reported on Friday that of the 737 COVID-19 patients they were treating, 92% were unvaccinated.
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At least 94% of intensive care patients were not vaccinated and 95% of ventilator patients were not vaccinated.
The Northeast Georgia Health System said it had 312 COVID-19 patients on Friday, with unvaccinated patients accounting for 95% of intensive care patients. At Northeast Georgia Medical Center, hospitals opened field hospitals this week and warned patients that they could not get a traditional hospital bed or be put in a room.
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All Georgians aged 12 and over can be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“COVID vaccines are safe and effective in protecting against COVID-19 infections. COVID vaccines also help prevent serious illness and death if a person becomes ill, ”Toomey said. “Vaccines also reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. “
© 2021 Cox Media Group
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