The summer COVID-19 wave has hit Georgia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wastewater testing suggests that activity levels of the COVID-19 virus in Georgia have increased significantly since early June, from moderate to high.
According to Amanda Feldpausch, the Onehealth Epidemiology Director at the Georgia Department of Health, this summertime increase in cases is nothing new.
“For COVID we have historically seen during the summer some upticks in COVID cases.”
Feldpausch points the finger at soaring temperatures forcing people indoors, where the virus can easily spread. She also blames new, more transmissible COVID variants.
“With these new ones, we’re seeing some increases in cases but we’re not seeing as much increases in severe outcomes like hospitalization or death. We do see some upticks, but we’re not seeing exponential spikes or anything like that.”
Feldpausch says that in addition to getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, and practicing personal hygiene, people should pay attention to tools like the CDC’s wastewater testing reports to be aware of COVID levels in their communities.
“Really overall what we want people to focus on is to be aware of and access resources available. Be aware of their own personal risk factors or those of persons close to them and utilize that information to make the most informed decision on prevention measures.”
Late last month, the CDC recommended vaccination against both flu and COVID-19 to prevent serious illness and hospitalization during the upcoming respiratory illness seasons in fall and winter.
