Transmission of the coronavirus remains extremely high around Northwest Georgia, asserts Dr. Gary Voccio, Health Director for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Northwest Health District. The positivity rate for Georgia currently stands at about 17.5 percent; here in Northwest Georgia, it is about 20 percent (and close to 30 percent in some counties). Hospitals around this region are seeing some of the highest numbers in cases since the coronavirus pandemic began, adds Dr. Voccio.
The new variant of the virus recently discovered in the US (including here in Georgia) poses an additional threat of increased cases and fatalities, indicates Dr. Voccio.
There is hope in the form of the coronavirus vaccine. However, the demand is greater than the supply at this time; therefore, all Northwest Georgians who wish to be vaccinated are urged by Dr. Voccio to be patient.
Dr. Voccio states that the district is currently hiring more clerks and nurses to assist with vaccinations in the 10-county Northwest Health District.
Get information about vaccination online at www.nwgapublichealth.org. The Northwest Health District is also on Facebook.