COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
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Positive Progress and Improvements!
Johns Creek has experienced a gradual decrease of the COVID-19 Incidence Rate over the last several reporting periods. Because of our ability over the past 45 days to keep the spread of the coronavirus from spiking up, we have made sustained progress in Incidence Rate levels , which translates into a improved Johns Creek.
The data reflect a slight stabilization of new diagnosis across the county and a relative leveling of the Incidence Rate levels in Johns Creek. The most recent reporting shows a 4.4 percent decrease for the two week reporting period (4/7 to 4/20), when compared to the previous two weeks (3/24 to 4/6).
Additionally, Gov. Kemp lifted many of Georgia’s remaining coronavirus restrictions with an executive order which rolls back requirements related to restaurants practicing social distancing and it ended safety guidelines designed for gyms, movie theaters, barbershops and other close-contact businesses. The executive order also ends a requirement that workers at restaurants wear masks, and reduces restrictions for live performance events. The key provisions of the new executive order include:
- Modifies the social distancing and sanitation requirements for residents and visitors to “strongly encouraged.”
- Eliminates the restaurant and bar table distancing requirements and workers mask requirement.
- Eliminates all specific requirements for gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, body art studios, estheticians, hair stylists, and massage therapists.
- Reduces the requirements for Conventions.
- Eliminates the requirement that childcare facilities prohibit all unnecessary visitors.
- Provides that Live Performance Venues, regardless of seating capacity, are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations, and such venues may implement additional measures in conjunction with the performer or organizer of an event.
- Maintains that professional, collegiate, and high school sports organizations and events shall operate pursuant to the rules or guidelines issued by their respective league, conference, or association.
- Clarifies that graduation ceremonies are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations.
Johns Creek continues to hold the lowest Incidence Rate of new diagnosis (77.7) in all Fulton County cities (Atlanta 155.5, Alpharetta 111.3, Roswell 92.3, Milton 104.8, and Sandy Springs 100.6).
Even with this positive news, I request that we all continue to practice social distancing, avoid large indoor gatherings, wash hands frequently, and wear a mask when indoors and around others.
Vaccination Rates Are Increasing
More than one-third of all Fulton County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than one-quarter of the county has been fully vaccinated. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, just over 147 million people in the US 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. Lastly, about 104.7 million adults have been fully vaccinated, meaning they completed vaccine regimens requiring two doses or received a single-dose vaccine.
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All Georgians age 16 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.
Walk-up Vaccination Site Opens in North Fulton
Starting Tuesday, May 4, the vaccination site located at 4700 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta will begin to accept walk-ups in addition to appointments. The walk-up schedule for the site is 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, Tuesday - Saturday. A total of 500 walk-up vaccines will be available daily on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Community Vaccination Center will continue to serve residents through walk-ups and appointments for first and second doses through June 15. Starting May 3, those with appointments and walk-ups will all report to Stadium Gate 2.
During the week of May 3, the MBS CVS will be open:
• Monday, May 3, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Thursday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 7, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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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
OTHER VACCINE PROVIDERS
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.
Continue Making Healthy Decisions!
As the chart indicates, there was a slight decrease in case counts in Johns Creek in the recent two week reporting period (4/7 to 4/20), when compared to the previous two weeks (3/24 to 4/6). Overall, Johns Creek has the lowest Incidence Rate of any city in Fulton County for the recent two week reporting period, but please remember that continued low rates and declines of COVID incidents are more beneficial for our community’s health. Remember, even after receiving the vaccine, it is important to continue stay cautious.
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According to state and local health agencies and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the Fulton County area cases have stayed about the same over the past week and are still very high. The number of hospitalized Covid patients has risen in the Fulton County area. Deaths have decreased. The test positivity rate in Fulton County is high, suggesting that cases may be undercounted.
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In Johns Creek there were three (3) fewer new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (4/7 to 4/20) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (3/24 to 4/6), which represents a 4.4 percent decrease over the period. |
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An average of 133 cases per day were reported in Fulton County, about the same as the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 11 residents have been infected, a total of 96,664 reported cases.
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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,
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Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek
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