After months of staying somewhat even, COVID-19 cases in Northeast Georgia are rising just as a new group of Americans gets access to the vaccine.
"Within this last week, we've seen several of our counties move from low to medium, and low to high," said Natasha Young, spokeswoman for the Department of Public Health's District 2. "Even though deaths and hospitalizations have remained low, we are seeing more spread within our counties."
Hall County's numbers have moved into "medium spread." Data shows that Dawson and Union Counties are considered areas of "high transmission."
Many of the state's local health departments have reported upticks in COVID-19 cases in recent reports. Most health officials caution that the numbers are likely higher because many are using at-home tests and not reporting them to DPH.
"We also still have PCR testing sites available in Union and Forsyth counties," Young told AccessWDUN. "So if you are not feeling well and don't have the rapid at-home test kits, you are able to still get tested at one of our testing sites."
The rising cases come shortly after U.S. health officials approved smaller-dose COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for children as young as six months.
"We recommend that you speak with your family doctor or pediatrician to determine if vaccinating is the right choice for your child," Young said. "We currently have the Pfizer, and we just received the Moderna this week."
So far, Young says only 13 of the "pediatric doses" have been administered in the health district, but they're hopeful that the number will increase in the coming weeks and months.
Young urges local residents to monitor the community spread tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially if you're going to be traveling to different areas.
"To keep yourself healthy and well and to protect your family and yourself," Young said.
