Dec. 14, 2020
COVID-19 Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Hello Johns Creek,

Since I began providing COVID-19 update reports and coronavirus data and information, I have passed along some very relevant statistical information which we’ve collected from the health experts at the Fulton County Board of HealthThe Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I will also be very frank that the data and trends we have been tracking over the past 30 days are not positive and definitely not progressing in the manner which we’d all prefer to see.
 
Because of these bleak numbers, 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.
 
As we are also seeing advances in treatments lessen the impact and severity of the virus in some patients, there is some hope on the horizon about COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC recently announced the following: 
 
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in people aged 16 years and older for the prevention of COVID-19. Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States will be limited at first, CDC recommends that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine be allocated to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents. The recommendations were made with the following goals in mind: Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible; Preserve functioning of society; and Reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.
 
What You 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.
 
Yes, this is positive news, but please know that this will take some time. This news should not take away from the fact that cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States. 

The dramatic trajectory of new diagnoses has been continuing for almost two months straight. I again stress the importance of wearing a mask, limiting your exposure to enclosed indoor areas, and practicing social distancing. Each and every member of our city and community must do what we can to address the spread of this infection.
 
In the past two weeks (reporting weeks of 11/21 to 12/4) there were more than 4,042 new cases of COVID-19 in Fulton County.

In that same period, there were 361 new cases in the City of Johns Creek, which represents a 63.3 % increase in new diagnoses.
 
We’ve previously reported that case counts in Johns Creek are among the lower portion when compared to the other major cities in North Fulton County. But that is no longer the case. The latest report shows new diagnoses in Johns Creek over the past 14-day reporting period trail only those of Atlanta (1,601) Sandy Springs (488). Being rated third in the entire county in new cases does not indicate that we are doing the proper 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 11, 2020). In the table below, specific data for Johns Creek is highlighted for reference.
The city has consistently realized an increase in case count (5.3%) over a 14 day period. The rise in new diagnoses is concerning as more than 95 new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (11/21 to 12/4) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (11/7 to 11/20).
 
The graph below is important as our city has seen the overall Incidence Rate continue to rise (431.6 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 (431.6 per 100,000 persons on December 11 compared to the rate a month ago of 156.6 on November 10th) – a measure which calculates the rate of new diagnoses in the last 14 day period preceding the immediate past week.
 
Fulton County Schools looks at the Incidence Rate of new diagnoses as part of its Fulton County Schools Reopening Matrix Data-Based Plan to Phase into Face-to-Face Instruction. The county-wide New Diagnosis Rate is at 367.7 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 12/14/2020.
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 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

 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at

Stay safe,
Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek