New coronavirus cases identified in Georgia
New cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Georgia, health officials announced Saturday.
A Cobb County individual diagnosed after a recent trip to Italy is isolated at home, while the source of exposure is not known for the second individual from Fulton County who is hospitalized, according to statement released by the governor’s office Saturday.
The state Department of Public Health is awaiting on confirmation of a case in Gwinnett County. That person is being isolated at home after returning home from a trip to Italy.
The Centers for Disease Control testing has confirmed a preliminary positive test for COVID-19 in a Floyd County resident who is hospitalized.
Kemp announced the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday. The father and son from Fulton County had returned recently from a trip to Italy.
“Federal and state officials continue to work closely together to conduct testing and determine the extent of exposure for confirmed cases of COVID-19,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in the statement. “The risk to Georgians remains low.
“We ask Georgians to stay vigilant, utilize best practices to mitigate health risk, and remain calm,” he said.
Despite the new cases, the overall risk of COVID-19 to the public remains low, Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, state DPH commissioner, said in the statement.
“But each new case of COVID-19 in Georgia reinforces the fact that we should all be practicing basic prevention measures that are extremely effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and all respiratory illnesses,” Toomey said.
Best practices include washing hands for at least 20 seconds, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Other prevention measures include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash, and cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 12:03 PM.