Nov. 29, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Slight Increases in COVID-19 Cases Continue

We appear to be encountering a recent rise in the Incidence Rate of new COVID-19 cases in the City of Johns Creek. Over the past several months we had seen a lessening of the impact of delta variant but that is now going in the other direction. The Georgia Department of Public Health recently cautioned that winter gatherings could potentially bring more cases and throughout the state and in the metro-Atlanta area, after several promising months of progress, the number of COVID-19 infections has been rising again as detailed in recent reports over the past couple of weeks. 
 
Over the past 14-day reporting cycle, according to the Fulton County Board of Health and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Incidence Rate in the City of Johns Creek rose to 104.3 which is an increase of 59% when compared to the preceding 14-day reporting period. The actual number of new cases for the same reporting period was 32 MORE new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (11/4 to 11/17) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (10/24 to 11/3). In addition to that increase, the incidence rates for the North Fulton cities also show an increase over the reporting period. (Sandy Springs 86, Johns Creek 104.3, Roswell 107.7Milton at 121.1, and Alpharetta 123.1) 
 
At present, not much is known about a new variant identified by the World Health Organization which a panel named “omicron” and classified it as a highly transmissible virus of concern, the same category that includes the delta variant, the world’s most prevalent. As the CDC and the WHO look deeper into the facts about the new variant, it’s important for residents to continue efforts to do the right things to stop the spread of the virus.
 
I continue to urge safety and ask that we all please be cautious during this holiday season and please use your best judgement for our community’s overall safety. I wholeheartedly trust our residents to make the right decisions and the best choices for our community’s overall safety. I trust individuals to make the right decision – for themselves, for their families, and for our community. Please keep making the right choice so we may bring our numbers down and stop the spread of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated on November 2, 2021 that it now recommends that children between the ages of 5 and 11 years receive the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine. A committee of independent experts advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted unanimously to recommend the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11. Shots can be administered immediately as Pfizer’s pediatric vaccines will be widely accessible across the nation.
 
CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and CDC’s recommendation for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep Americans safe. Approximately 231 million people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including about 196 million people in the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated by Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine or the two-dose series made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
 
Approximately 37.5 million have received an additional vaccine dose since Aug. 13, the day after the F.D.A. opened up eligibility for third shots for some people with weakened immune systems. This figure also includes people who have gotten a booster dose, which the F.D.A. authorized on Sept. 22 for Pfizer-BioNTech recipients over 65 or at high risk of severe COVID-19.

For those of you who wish to get vaccinated, and in Georgia all residents age 12 and over are eligible for the vaccine, you can pre-register for the COVID -19 vaccine by visiting: myvaccinegeorgia.com
 
Many Georgia adults who originally got the Pfizer vaccine can now get booster shots, as outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends that the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine):
 
  • people aged 65 years and older
  • residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions
 
For more information on the booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
 
I recommend everyone follow the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and continue to socially distance, try to avoid large crowds (especially indoors), consider wearing a mask when indoors (especially if you’ve not been vaccinated), and wash your hands. 

Residents can also take advantage of the Vaccines at the Libraries Program and Mobile Vaccination Sites. Locations change each week.
 
 
 
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 know each of us can make safe and informed decisions for the benefit of our community.

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.

For those who have not been vaccinated or choose not to get vaccinated, please take the route of safety and enact precautionary measures to help reduce the spread of the virus. Follow the CDC guidelines as outlined at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html. 
 
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.
Incidence Rates for COVID-19 cases in North Fulton

Also, according to the latest Epidemiology Report, Johns Creek is showing a higher Incidence Rate than the previous report period and overall in North Fulton County there is an increase among all cities (Sandy Springs 86, Johns Creek 104.3, Roswell 107.7Milton at 121.1, and Alpharetta 123.1) 
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 very high risk. Vaccinated people are at lower risk. An average of 105 cases per day were reported in Fulton County, a 33 percent increase from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 8 residents have been infected, a total of 134,541 reported cases. Right now, Fulton County is at a high risk for unvaccinated people.
In Johns Creek Over the past 14-day reporting cycle, according to the Fulton County Board of Health and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Incidence Rate has increased to 104.3 which is an increase of 59.3% when compared to the preceding 14-day reporting period. The actual number of new cases for the same reporting period was 32 MORE new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (11/4 to 11/17) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (10/24 to 11/3).
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

I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Stay safe,
Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek