Governor Brian Kemp provided a covid-19 update this afternoon, as numbers of cases in the state continue to rise.
There were 19,000 cases reported around the state Monday. Kemp is calling up as many as 1,500 additional National Guard troops to help with the response.
All 159 of our counties are in a high transmission level, all these areas are considered in the red zone.
The governor signed an executive order raising the ceiling on guard members from 1,000 to 2,500.
He once again stressed the need for vaccinations and offered additional incentives.
“The Department of Community Health will immediately begin including full COVID-19 vaccinations as a wellbeing incentive for all SHBP members and eligible dependents,” Kemp announced. “Approximately 325 thousand members are currently eligible for the incentive, which would equate to a $150 Visa gift card, or $480 in credits that can be used for various healthcare expenses like co-pays as well as co-insurance.”
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey discussed the state’s numbers.
“And this is indeed a delta surge, virtually 100% of all our cases are delta variant,” according to Dr. Toomey. “And we’re now approaching among the worst cases, both in case numbers and hospitalizations that we’ve had since January and in some cases actually worse. All 159 of our counties are in a high transmission level, all these areas are considered in the red zone.”
Kemp also lifted weight and hour requirements for trucks to keep supplies up.
For more information the state’s COVID-19 numbers, visit dph.georgia.gov for the COVID-19 Daily Status Report.
