Coronavirus

GPS analysis: Middle Georgia struggles with social distancing during coronavirus

A health official prepares to take samples for a coronavirus test from a journalist in Bucharest, Romania.
A health official prepares to take samples for a coronavirus test from a journalist in Bucharest, Romania. AP

One company is grading each county’s commitment to social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including those in Middle Georgia.

The “Social Distancing Scoreboard” from Unacast is an interactive project that gathers GPS data from people around the country to determine if residents are staying inside to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The scores are based on the change in average distance traveled this week compared to before the outbreak began. According to its website, Unacast does not identify any individual person or device. In order for the company to calculate the scores, it combines “tens of millions of anonymous mobile phones and their interactions with each other each day.”

Counties earn an “A” if residents cut travel down by at least 40%. Less than 10% earns you an “F.”

The state of Georgia has an overall grade of a “C,” according to the most recent data from Unacast. In Middle Georgia, Houston County leads the way with a 21% cut in travel for a “C.” Bibb County also had a “C,” but is slightly behind Houston with a 20% reduction in travel.

Here is a list of the Middle Georgia grades by county:

  • Houston: C
  • Baldwin: F
  • Bibb: C
  • Bleckley: D
  • Dodge: D
  • Jones: D
  • Twiggs: F
  • Crawford: F
  • Peach: F
  • Laurens: F
  • Washington: C
  • Macon: F
  • Monroe: D
  • Pulaski: C

A total of 67 COVID-19 cases were reported in Middle Georgia by the Department of Public Health on Monday. For a breakdown of cases in Middle Georgia, visit our county-by-county page, updated at noon and 7 p.m. every day.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Coronavirus in Georgia

JB
Justin Baxley
The Telegraph
Justin Baxley is the fan life reporter at The Telegraph and writes stories centered around entertainment, food and sports in the Macon community. Justin joined the Telegraph staff after graduating from Mercer University in May 2017 with a degree in criminal justice and journalism. During his time at Mercer he served as the sports editor for The Cluster.
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