Late Thursday evening Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp did what most governors in the country had already done – he issued a statewide order to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The order takes effect at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3 and remains in effect through April 13.
Many Georgians criticized Kemp for not moving to shut down the state sooner. They expressed surprise at comments he made during his news conference Wednesday when he appeared to indicate he had just learned that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted by those not showing symptoms.
The state department of public health sought to stifle that criticism today in a news release clarifying the governor’s remarks.
The release states that for weeks it has been known that people who were positive for COVID-19 but did not have symptoms likely were able to transmit the virus. However, on March 30, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, M.D., confirmed that new data indicates that as many as 25% of individuals infected with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic. Additionally, science also now informs us that individuals who are symptomatic, are infectious up to 48 hours before symptoms appear.
The release states “This new information tells the health care community, medical researchers, public health and governments why COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly.”
“Until now, containing the spread of COVID-19 has been based on early detection and isolation of people with symptoms of the virus,” says Toomey. “Social distancing and keeping people apart from each other are now more than just recommendations; they are the best weapons we have to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
In addition to social distancing, all Georgians are reminded to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) when soap and water aren’t available. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and throw the used tissue in the trash.
To read more about the presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914e1.htm?s_cid=mm6914e1_w
For more information about COVID-19 https://dph.georgia.gov/
For updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.
