June 1, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Signs of Improvement Ahead

I’m very pleased to share that according to the latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, Johns Creek residents are continuing to take the appropriate steps to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. 

We have realized a 45.5 percent decrease in new diagnoses for the two week reporting period (5/8 to 5/21), when compared to the previous two weeks (4/24 to 5/7) and only 18 new cases were reported over the most recent 14-day period. Unlike two months ago, when the city’s incidence rate was slightly higher and at a plateau, our community has seen a positive decline in new cases.
 
I would attribute that decline to a number of factors including increased vaccinations and safer practices to curb the spread of the virus. Please remember to respect others around you as many people have varying levels of comfort and concerns when it comes to coronavirus transmission and safety. I would urge you to continue to socially distance, avoid large crowds (especially indoors), wear a mask when indoors (especially if you’ve not been vaccinated) and wash your hands. 

Vaccination Efforts Continue
 
All Georgians age 12 and older are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. Please note, the Pfizer-BioNTech is the only vaccine currently authorized for 12-17-year-olds. FORTY TWO percent of all Fulton County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than ONE-THIRD of the county has been fully vaccinated. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 167 million people in the US (that’s a little over 50% of the total population) have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, an important milestone for a nation that has suffered the world’s highest death toll due to the pandemic. 
All Georgians age 12 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine. And there are a number of ways you and your family members can sign up to get the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines can protect you and your family. The vaccines are safe and offered at no charge.
 
To make an appointment, please visit the Georgia Department of Public Health vaccination information site: https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/
 
To check the latest information on Walk-up Vaccine Times and Locations please visit: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-vaccine
 
Mobile Vaccination Units
Fulton County residents can also access COVID-19 vaccines through mobile units. Walk-ups and appointments are accepted. The mobile schedule is posted at https://fultoncountyga.gov/covidmobilevaccinesites
Before you go to any vaccination site, please be sure to check and see if an appointment is required. Certain sites do not permit a vaccine distribution without an appointment.

Residents over age 65 and those who do not have Internet access may call the 404-613-8150 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays for more information about the vaccine. Call volume is high at peak times. If you are not able to get through, please try again later.
 
All individuals who are in need of second dose appointments will be contacted directly to schedule those appointments.

VACCINE LOCATOR:
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is coordinating vaccine distributions to locations throughout Georgia. As part of this effort, the DPH has developed a "Vaccine Locator" tool where citizens can type in the name of a city or facility to see a filtered list of vaccination sites. For a specific look at vaccination sites in Johns Creek, please visit the city data hub at: https://datahub.johnscreekga.gov/pages/covid-vaccine 
 
For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 vaccine page: https://fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-vaccine
 
OTHER VACCINE PROVIDERS
In addition to Fulton County, private pharmacies and health providers also offer the COVID-19 vaccine. To view a list of other vaccine providers, please visit:  https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site
 
MORE QUESTIONS?
Call the Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 hotline at 404-613-8150. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays or the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at (888) 357-0169.
 
Even after receiving the vaccine, it is important to continue to wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands frequently.

Be Safe, Be Cautious, Be Respectful of Others!
Approximately two months ago, the city’s reported Incidence Rate was almost four times higher than what was reported for the latest two week reporting period. The latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, demonstrates a sustained decrease and Johns Creek remains the North Fulton city with the lowest Incidence Rate of new diagnosis (Atlanta 65.7, Roswell 45.6, Sandy Springs 29.4, Milton 28.8, and Alpharetta 27.8).
According to state and local health agencies and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, because of high COVID-19 transmission in Fulton County, unvaccinated people are at a high risk. Vaccinated people are at lower risk. Cases have decreased over the past week but are still high. The number of hospitalized Covid patients has also fallen in the Fulton County area while deaths have increased. The test positivity rate in Fulton County is relatively low, suggesting that testing capacity is adequate for evaluating COVID-19 spread in the area.
In Johns Creek there were 15 fewer new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (5/8 to 5/21) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (4/24 to 5/7), which represents a 45.5 percent decrease over the period.
Even with improved results, Fulton County remains at a high risk level for COVID-19 infections with an average of 36 cases per day reported and a 54 percent decrease from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 11 residents have been infected, a total of 98,648 reported cases.
TESTING INFORMATION: If you believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please take the initiative to get tested. You may schedule a free COVID-19 test regardless of symptoms at covid19.dph.ga.gov and for appointments by phone call 404-613-8150. However it is quicker to schedule an appointment online due to the volume of calls. Calls are accepted during these times: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Testing site locations, dates, and/or times are subject to change. For the latest information on testing, please visit: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-testing-sites
 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at

Please follow CDC guidelines and let’s CONTINUE to reduce our numbers.

Stay safe,
Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek