June 7, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Protection Is Still Important

According to the latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Johns Creek and in Fulton County continues to drop. The level of new cases, referred to as the Incidence Rate (see charts below), are on the decline and our community continues to receive vaccinations and take precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. 
 
Overall, new diagnoses for the two week reporting period (5/15 to 5/28), when compared to the previous two weeks (5/1 to 5/14) have leveled off or gone unchanged. Only 19 new cases were reported over the most recent 14-day period. This plateau is positive when compared to last October when the city saw a dramatic increase in new diagnosis.
 
Please adhere to safe and cautionary practices over the coming months and 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. 
 
Vaccination Efforts Continue
 
All Georgians age 12 and older are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. Please note, the Pfizer-BioNTech is the only vaccine currently authorized for 12-17-year-olds. FORTY THREE percent of all Fulton County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than ONE-THIRD of the county has been fully vaccinated. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 170.8 million people have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, including about 139 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.
Be Safe, Be Cautious, Be Respectful of Others!
Approximately three months ago, the city’s reported Incidence Rate was almost seven times higher than what was reported for the latest two week reporting period. The latest Epidemiology Report from Fulton County Board of Health, demonstrates a sustained decrease and while Johns Creek has maintained a low Incidence Rate, other North Fulton cities have made marked improvements in the new diagnosis reduction (Atlanta 47.4, Roswell 28.6, Johns Creek 22.7, Sandy Springs 15.2, Milton 13.1, and Alpharetta 9.3).
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 decreased over the past week but are still high. The number of hospitalized Covid patients has also 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 the same amount of new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (5/15 to 5/28) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (5/1 to 5/14).
Even with improved results, Fulton County remains at a high risk level for Covid-19 infections with an average of 32 cases per day were reported in Fulton County, a 45 percent decrease from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 11 residents have been infected, a total of 98,848 reported cases.
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