Georgia Hits All-Time High For 7-Day Coronavirus Case Average

ATLANTA, GA — After Georgia set a one-day record for COVID-19 cases on Friday, the average number of coronavirus cases in the last week reached an all-time high. The Georgia Department of Public Health's COVID-19 status update showed a seven-day moving average of 7,077 cases.

On Sunday, the state dashboard said 7,176 confirmed new coronavirus cases, down from 10,393 new cases on Friday. That day's number was the highest single-day total since the pandemic began.

The state had 1,235 antigen positive cases, two confirmed deaths and 125 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours.

On Sunday the state's positivity rate for all coronavirus testing was 18.8 percent.

"While we are beginning COVID-19 vaccinations in Georgia, it is essential to continue to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and practicing physical distancing," the department of health tweeted Sunday afternoon.

Statewide statistics on the pandemic as of Sunday include:

• Confirmed Cases: 636,373
• Confirmed Deaths: 10,282
• Hospitalizations: 44,635
• ICU Admissions: 7,742
• Antigen Positive Cases: 120,672
• Probable Deaths: 1,176

Friday's total surpassed the New Year's Day record by more than 1,600 cases, data shows.

So far, Georgians over the age of 65, first responders, long-term care facility residents and staff, and health care workers are allowed to receive the vaccine as long as there are doses available.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is administering COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a+ which includes:

• Health-care workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMS personnel, environmental services, etc.)
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
• Adults aged 65+ and their caregivers (effective 1-11-2021)
• Law enforcement, firefighters, first responders (effective 1-11-2021)

Vaccine supply is very limited. Public health departments are scheduling vaccines by appointment only, as are most other providers. Depending on vaccine supply allocations from the federal government, it may be weeks before additional providers will have vaccine available for quicker and more widespread distribution.

Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday in an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution that the state has the capacity to administer 11,428 doses per day.

The top five counties for coronavirus cases and deaths are:

• Gwinnett: 58,870 cases and 584 deaths
• Fulton: 57,483 cases and 763 deaths
• Cobb: 42,242 cases and 583 deaths
• DeKalb: 39,487 cases and 508 deaths
• Hall: 19,291 cases and 242 deaths