Community COVID transmission rates remain low across Northeast Georgia. Data from District 2 Public Health shows the two-week positivity rate is below 10% in all 13 counties the District serves.
For the two-week time period ending April 28, Habersham County’s positivity rate was 2.8%, with 20 new cases identified. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, White County’s positivity rate was 7.8%, with 50 new cases diagnosed.
Towns County had the district’s lowest two-week positivity rate at 0%. Franklin County’s was next lowest at 1.8%. Lumpkin County had the highest positivity rate in District 2 at 8.7%, with 62 new cases reported.
District Two Public Health counties include Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, public health officials have confirmed nearly 2 million cases of the virus in Georgia. At least 31,627 people in the state have died with COVID and another 6,342 deaths are considered ‘probable’ COVID deaths.
Current District 2 COVID death tolls compared to March 17, 2022:
Banks: 84 (+6)
Dawson: 97 (+2)
Forsyth: 381 (+23)
Franklin: 78 (+2)
Habersham: 240 (+2)
Hall: 792 (+23)
Hart: 61 (+3)
Lumpkin: 112 (+2)
Rabun: 80 (+2)
Stephens: 132 (+5)
Towns: 89 (+6)
Union: 141 (+7)
White: 143 (+6)
Tested and boosted
In Northeast Georgia, vaccination rates are highest in Rabun and Towns counties, where 50% and 53% of their respective populations are fully vaccinated. Habersham County’s full vaccination rate is at 43%.
District Two Public Health Officials encourage those who are immunocompromised or over the age of 50 to get double boosted. Second boosters are available for those who received their initial booster shots at least 4 months ago.
Public health officials say testing remains important in the fight against COVID. The following counties have free PCR testing available:
Forsyth County – Central Park Recreation Complex
2300 Keith Bridge Rd., Cumming, GA 30040
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Hall County – Sherwood Plaza
601 S. Enota Dr. NE, Gainesville, GA 30501
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Union County – Union General Hospital
35 Hospital Road, Blairsville, GA 30512
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Before traveling, check the CDC Community level tool to determine the transmission levels where you are going and whether there are prevention strategies you should consider.
