No Changes to COVID-19 Protocol Says Georgia Department of Public Health

The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration ended last week and the Georgia Department of Public Health has issued a press release saying little will change for Georgians.

According to the DPH, now that we have safe and effective vaccines, ample testing infrastructure, and most people have some level of immunity due to vaccination or infection, COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.

As a result of these and other efforts in Georgia, since the end of the peak of the Omicron surge at the end of January 2022:

Daily COVID-19 reported cases are down over 98%,
COVID-19 deaths have declined by 97%, and
Newly reported COVID-19 hospitalizations are down 97%.

In Georgia, most prevention tools, like vaccines, treatments, and testing, will remain available. Other tools such as certain data sources and reporting, will change.

COVID vaccines and tests are still available at no cost to the public at health departments throughout the state for the foreseeable future.

For information about vaccine locations near you, please visit dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

Tests, both lab/PCR tests and over-the-counter tests, are available at no cost at local health departments, 24-hour kiosks around the state, and at regional drive-through testing sites.

Testing locations and hours and at-home test kits can be found at dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting.

Additionally, medication to prevent severe COVID-19, such as Paxlovid, will remain available at no cost while supplies purchased by the federal government last.

After that, the price will be determined by the medication manufacturer and individual health insurance coverage. Check with your healthcare provider if you need early treatment, within 48 hours of symptoms, to prevent severe COVID.

The DPH will continue to update the Status Report every Wednesday for several more weeks as we assess the data we receive and transition to monthly updates.

Most importantly, the end of the PHE does not mean that COVID-19 is over.

DHP advises that Georgians should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, get tested if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, stay home if they are sick, and check with their healthcare provider about available COVID-19 treatments.