July 26, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
As Variant Surges, Exercise Caution

Another wave of coronavirus cases, driven by the spread of the contagious delta variant, has caused a spike in area hospitalizations and new cases in the city and across Fulton County according to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). The Incidence Rate in the City of Johns Creek, according to the latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, is at 23.9 which is an increase of more than 80 percent when compared to the preceding 14-day reporting period. 

The state has seen an increase of coronavirus cases throughout the month of July as hospitalizations for COVID in Georgia increased by 40 percent from July 14 to July 21, according DPH. The DPH data also show that more than 85 percent of Georgia patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were not fully vaccinated and as of last Friday (7/23), just 44.9% of Georgians over 12 were fully vaccinated.

While our levels of new diagnoses are not at the height reached in January, the numbers are beginning to increase. For the two week reporting period of 7/1 to 7/14, the City of Johns Creek has seen an 80 percent increase of new cases when compared to the previous two weeks of 6/17 to 6/30. We certainly don’t want to return to case counts witnessed at the beginning of the year. It is important to note that the COVID-19 risk for unvaccinated people in Fulton County is at a high level. 


Vaccinations Are Helping
 
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, more than half of all Fulton County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 47% of the county has been fully vaccinated. Please note, the Pfizer-BioNTech is the only vaccine currently authorized for 12-17-year-olds.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 187.6 million people have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, including about 162.4 million people who have been fully vaccinated by Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine or the two-dose series made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
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.
 
Fulton County residents can get a FREE COVID-19 vaccine at any Fulton County site without an appointment. For your second appointment, make sure enough time has passed since your first dose and bring your vaccination card. The vaccine is available for FREE to anyone age 12+. Parking is FREE. No ID is required. No appointment is needed.

Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Available at Select Sites:  The Georgia International Convention Center and 4700 North Point Parkway sites are now offering Johnson & Johnson vaccine. You can choose this option when you schedule your appointment, or onsite.

Mobile Sites Open at Various Locations:
Residents can also take advantage of the Vaccines at the Libraries Program and Mobile Vaccination Sites. Locations change each week.



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.
 
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.
A Cautionary Tale
The global solution to the pandemic as well as the full return to 100% normalcy are not immediately within our reach at present. According to the latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, the Incidence Rate in Johns Creek is 23.9 which places Johns Creek below several neighboring cities where cases are increasing (Sandy Springs 49.3, Roswell 36.1, and Alpharetta 30.9, with Milton at 21.0).
 
The latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, demonstrates a gradual increase in case counts. 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. 
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 increased over the past week and are high. The number of hospitalized Covid patients has fallen in the Fulton County area. Deaths have remained at about the same level. 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 nine more new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (7/1 to 7/14) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that 6/17 to 6/30). 
The COVID-19 risk for unvaccinated people in Fulton County is at a high level. An average of 143 cases per day were reported in Fulton County, an 184 percent increase from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 10 residents have been infected, a total of 101,623 reported cases. Right now, Fulton County is at a high risk for unvaccinated people. 
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