Dec. 28, 2020
COVID-19 Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Healthy and Safe Wishes for 2021!
 
We are about to embark on a new year but my overall message is one that I’ve been stressing and repeating for the past Four months: Let’s all do what needs to be done to be safe and stay healthy. 
 
Our Johns Creek community continues to see a dramatic rise in COVID-19 case counts and the diagnosis rate keeps climbing. Please take the critical efforts and actions to stop the spread of this infectious and dangerous virus.
 
And as we think about New Year’s celebrations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the safest way to celebrate the new year is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you or virtually with friends and family. If you’re celebrating New Year’s with people outside your household, make sure you take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) apar
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
  • Wash your hands
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Get a flu shot as soon as possible

Remember, the more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you will be.
 
Over the past two months, infection rates have been climbing and we must take precautionary steps to make a change. I implore you to please continue to do everything we can to decrease the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Adhering to guidelines and information from trusted sources is important as our community works to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
 
Now that there are authorized and recommended vaccines to prevent COVID-19 in the United States, there are a number of important things you all need to know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program
 
You need 2 doses of the currently available COVID-19 vaccine. A second shot 3 weeks after your first shot is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer. Because the current supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is limited, CDC recommends that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine be offered to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as large enough quantities are available. Once vaccine is widely available, the plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers offering COVID-19 vaccines in doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost.
 
For more information on things you need to know about the new COVID-19 Vaccination Program and COVID-19 vaccines please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/8-things.html
 
On a local and regional front, over the past two weeks (reporting weeks of 12/2 to 12/15) there were more than 5,580 new cases of COVID-19 in Fulton County. In that same period, there were 446 new cases in the City of Johns Creek, which represents a 55.9 % increase in new diagnoses.
 
The latest report shows new diagnoses in Johns Creek over the past 14-day reporting period trail only those of Atlanta (2,264) Sandy Springs (664), and Roswell (470). No city wishes to lead the county in new cases but we all have to continue to be vigilant and do the appropriate things to decrease the spread of the virus.
 
Current data is assembled below showing COVID-19 Counts and Rates from the most recent report from the Fulton County Board of Health Epidemiology Report (Dated December 22, 2020). In the table below, specific data for Johns Creek is highlighted for reference.
The city has consistently realized an increase in case count (5.5%) over a 14 day period. The rise in new diagnoses is concerning as more than 160 new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (12/2 to 12/15) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (11/18 to 12/1).
 
The graph below is important as our city has seen the overall Incidence Rate continue to rise (533.3 in the chart below) to levels which we have not seen in the city. We need to do a better job at preventing illness by not risking exposure to and not transmitting this virus.
The trends remain upward as the Incidence Rate of new diagnoses increases (533.3 per 100,000 persons on December 22 compared to the rate a month ago of 230.8 on November 20th) – a measure which calculates the rate of new diagnoses in the last 14 day period preceding the immediate past week.
 
The county-wide New Diagnosis Rate is at 507.7 per 100,000 cases which is greater than the 100 per 100,000 cases (per last 14 days) threshold which Fulton Schools aims for when opening face-to-face instruction.
Testing Trends at the Fulton County Level
The Public Health State of Emergency issued by Governor Kemp remains in place. The Executive Order requires important safeguards as social distancing, a ban on gatherings of more than fifty people unless there is six feet between each person, and sheltering in place for those living in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile.
Data at the state of Georgia level

Considering the most recent data from the Georgia Department of Public Health daily overview of testing and cases the seven day average of confirmed cases has increased steadily throughout October. The information below represents confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of 12/28/2020.
We continue to work closely with local hospitals and emergency rooms to monitor the spread of the virus and the effect it is having on our local healthcare facilities and workers. We implore each resident to strictly adhere to the safe and healthy practices as set by the Centers for Disease Control. 

  • Practice social distancing
  • Wash your hands often
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces (including your phones)
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
  • Stay home if you are sick
 
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
 
We have collected important data from the health experts at the Fulton County Board of Health, The Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the spread of the virus with the region and in the city.
 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at

Stay safe,
Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek