DPH Advises Taking Steps to Stay Safe During Holidays

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in District 2 Public Health counties, and District 2 Public Health Director, Dr. Zachary Taylor, is urging North GA to protect the most vulnerable during the holiday season.

Over the past two weeks, the Department of Public Health is reporting 29 confirmed cases in Franklin County, 21 confirmed cases in Hart County, and 30 confirmed cases in Stephens County.

Taylor said that although the Delta variant is still the most prevalent variant in Georgia, accounting for over 90% of cases, the Omicron variant is proving to be spreading fast.

He said this holiday season can be enjoyed safely if precautions are taken to limit the spread of COVID-19.

DPH and the Centers for Disease Control are still learning about and understanding the Omicron variant, but the same strategies of masking, washing hands, and social distancing remain the same.

Taylor recommends anyone who has been vaccinated also get a booster shot.

Anyone 16 and older who was vaccinated at least 6 months ago with two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or received the J & J vaccine at least 2 months ago is eligible for a booster shot.

Taylor said the continued use of mitigation strategies will help reduce the stress on hospitals and healthcare workers, while also keeping elderly and immunocompromised family members safe.

If you plan to gather with friends and family who are both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance to reduce the chance of spreading or contracting COVID-19.

Finally, he said testing is also important to reduce community spread of COVID-19.

PCR tests are available at six drive-thru testing sites located in Forsyth, Franklin, Hall, Lumpkin, and Union counties. Results are available within 24 to 36 hours.

In Franklin County, the drive-through testing site is located at the Franklin County Health Department on the Royston highway in Carnesville.

However, today only the Forsyth County and the Hall County Sherwood Plaza testing sites will be the only sites open.

All testing sites will be closed tomorrow, on Christmas Eve.

For more information about COVID-19 testing and to find recent data about District 2 COVID-19 case rates and vaccination rates visit phdistrict2.org.