In Georgia, the number of COVID-19 cases among children has skyrocketed by nearly 60% in just one week. As protests continue regarding mask and vaccination mandates in schools, the Georgia Department of Health has reported that nearly 8,000 children aged 17 and under were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the week of August 13, a significant uptick from the previous week’s total of 5,095 cases.
This rise in cases comes as part of a new data collection approach. “I doubt @GaDPH expected to field questions about 30,000 new positive tests after dropping weekend reporting,” tweeted local candidate Sarah Thompson. “It’s likely going to happen this Monday. #gapol.”
Breakdown of Cases
Among the reported cases, 6,539 were in the 5 to 17 age group, while 1,187 cases were noted in children aged 0 to 4. This represents a 59.2% increase in the older group and a 20.3% rise in the younger category. As of August 18, children aged 17 and under accounted for 13.6% of all emergency room visits, with a total of 1,314 hospital admissions for this age group since the pandemic began.
Impact of the Delta Variant
The increase coincides with the Delta variant’s impact on unvaccinated populations, pushing hospitals to their limits. Local news outlet WSB-TV reported on the tragic story of a 29-year-old correctional officer, Mark Johnson, who passed away from COVID-19 after a month-long battle. His one-year-old daughter, Lily, was also hospitalized with COVID but fortunately recovered. Johnson’s wife, Emma, revealed they had not received vaccinations. “Yes, Mark and I did not get the shot,” WSB-TV reported. “Like many others, we believed the information that was out there.” Emma has since changed her stance on vaccinations and plans to vaccinate her daughter, stating, “She cannot lose another parent because of this terrible disease.”
Public Health Response
In light of this surge, Georgia Senator Ralph Warnock urged the public to get vaccinated. “I’m praying for our healthcare workers on the frontlines combating the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across Georgia,” his tweet read. “We owe it to them to do our part by getting vaccinated and wearing masks so we can finally get this virus under control.”
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Summary
COVID-19 cases among children in Georgia have surged nearly 60% in just a week, with nearly 8,000 new cases reported. The increase highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the Delta variant and the importance of vaccinations. Local figures express their concerns about the situation while calling for greater public health measures.