GA COVID-19 cases trending down but Kemp and experts warn of a potential winter wave

COVID-19 case numbers in Georgia are declining, but Gov. Brian Kemp and health experts warn of a potential winter wave while pushing for more residents to get tested and vaccinated.

In early September COVID-19 cases in Georgia reached a seven-day average of more than 9,350 cases per day. Over the last month cases in the state have started to drop with the latest data showing a seven-day average of nearly 2,700 cases per day. But health experts warn that Georgians should not get comfortable despite the decline in numbers.

The current average is still more than 2,000 more cases per day than when there was a dip in June and early July.

Michael Hokanson, a spokesman for the North Central Health district, said the latest numbers are very positive in all 13 counties in the NCHD but all are still at a substantial threat for COVID-19.

“We hope we are at the far end of the Delta increase,” Hokanson said. “Based on what we saw last year and around January this year there is a distinct possibility of another wave surrounding the holidays.”

On Sept. 30, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp held a press conference to talk about the recent trend in cases and encouraged Georgians to get vaccinated before winter.

He warned based on the 2020 data, that a surge could be on the way as winter approaches. He encouraged people who are unvaccinated to speak with their doctors or a medical professional before the next wave begins.

This comes as the state of Georgia continues to lag behind the country in vaccination rate and Middle Georgia specifically has a low vaccination rate.

“Today I want to emphasize the importance of not waiting until the next wave of COVID cases to get vaccinated,” Kemp said. “During our summer surge many Georgians saw first-hand how the delta variant spread more quickly and still led to the deaths of our fellow citizens.”

While the cases numbers continue to fall, residents should continue to get tested. Hokanson said the key for helping track the spread of COVID-19 and the latest trends is reliant on people getting tested.

He said even those who feel like they have COVID-19 or have taken a home test that showed a positive result, should still get a PCR test to make sure their case is counted. As of now there is no way for residents to self report for home test results. It is important to get an accurate count because leaders at the state and local levels rely on the numbers and data to make decisions about how best to handle the next steps of the pandemic.

“It is important for testing to continue at a high level especially when we are under substantial spread,” Hokanson said. “If people decide not to get tested and we see that drop off it gives a false sense of security. We don’t know what it looks like in the community.”