March 8, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Greetings Johns Creek!

We are making headway and our numbers continue to improve with a sustained decline in the overall Incidence Rate in Johns Creek. While our overall Incidence Rate levels have gone down to an amount similar to where we were in early November, we should not lose sight of important efforts to keep the virus at bay -- social distancing, small to no gatherings, washing hands, and wearing a mask when in public.
 
Over the past 14-day reporting period, Johns Creek has seen a 49% decrease in transmission rates of COVID-19 in Johns Creek and we now have the lowest Incidence Rate of all of the 15 cities in Fulton County. Let’s continue to bring our numbers down even more!

The important next step is getting our community vaccinated.
Georgia has expanded access to the COVID-19 vaccine by including educators and school staff as eligible to be vaccinated beginning March 8, 2021. Groups now newly eligible for the vaccine include: Pre-K thru 12 Educators & Staff; Adults with Intellectual & Development Disabilities & their Caregivers; Parents of Children with Complex Medical Conditions.
 
Those that are eligible may visit https://myvaccinegeorgia.com/ to pre-register for the COVID -19 vaccine.
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. The DPH asks residents to NOT report to the vaccine site without an appointment. No vaccines will be given without an appointment.
 
All individuals who are in need of second dose appointments will be contacted directly to schedule those appointments.

Please note that vaccine supplies are still extremely limited. In coming months, when greater quantities of the vaccine become available, it will be available to more people. In time, everyone who wants to the vaccine will be able to get it. 

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's DataHub at: https://datahub.johnscreekga.gov/pages/covid-vaccine

For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 vaccine page:

OTHER VACCINE PROVIDERS
In addition to Fulton County, private pharmacies and health providers also offer the COVID-19 vaccine. To view a list of other vaccine providers, please visit:  https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site

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.
In the recent two week reporting period (2/13 to 2/26), there were fewer new cases of COVID-19 in Fulton County than the previous two weeks (1/30 to 2/12).
 
According to additional data sources including state and local health agencies and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cases in Fulton County are very high but have decreased over the past two weeks. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has also fallen in the Fulton County area, but I.C.U. occupancy is still very high. Deaths have remained at about the same level. The test positivity rate in Fulton County is high, suggesting that cases may be undercounted.
The recent decrease in new diagnoses is positive news but we need to be careful.  There were 117 fewer new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (2/13 to 2/26) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (1/30 to 2/12).
An average of 291 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 12 residents have been infected, a total of 87,797 reported cases. January 2021 was the worst month for cases in Fulton County.
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