Top public health official advises caution as COVID transmission rises in Cobb County
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Cobb County is sounding the bell on the rising COVID-10 numbers. The county’s top public health official advised residents on Friday to be cautious in light of rising transmission in the county.
Dr. Janet Memark, director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently upgraded both counties under her purview to a “high” community transmission level. Cobb is averaging about 185 COVID cases per day, up from about 30 cases per day three months ago, according to state Department of Public Health data.
The CDC takes into account the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people when classifying an area’s transmission level. This includes the percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients and the number of COVID cases per 100,000 people.
Memark said that a “slow and steady rise” in COVID hospitalizations in recent months was attributable to BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5, all subvariants of the omicron variant.
Memark is urging residents to be vigilant, saying, “Please remember that when we enter High transmission, it is recommended that we wear masks in public spaces, get tested if experiencing symptoms, and stay up-to-date on vaccines.”
Memark’s comments follow action taken by Cobb County Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Leonard who reinstated a mask mandate at the Cobb County courthouse after coronavirus transmission levels hit a critical threshold over the holiday weekend. In March, Leonard issued an order that automatically reinstates mask requirements and social distancing protocols inside the court complex when Cobb meets the CDC’s threshold for high transmission.
Also taking action during this rise in COVID numbers is Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park which now requires all visitors and employees to wear masks while inside park buildings regardless of vaccination status.
The county has not made any coronavirus policy changes at other county facilities.