COVID-19 Cases Rise in Our Area – 2 Reported in Franklin County, 1 in Hart County, 3 in Stephens County

Over the weekend, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Franklin County, one in Hart County, and three in Stephens County.

Habersham has also now reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 and Madison County now has 3 confirmed cases.

However, no deaths in those counties have been reported.

Additionally, the identity of those persons affected are not known, nor how they contracted the virus.

However, WLHR News will continue to follow HIPAA guidelines and will not release the names of any individual who has been confirmed as carrying the COVID-19 virus.

Both Hart and Franklin Counties have issued Emergency Shelter in Place orders for citizens and have asked all non-essential businesses to cease full operations.

Over the weekend, Habersham County also issued an emergency order to shelter in place.

According to DPH and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses. They include:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice before going to see a doctor.