Columbus reports record-breaking number of new COVID-19 cases ahead of governor visit
On the eve of a visit from Gov. Brian Kemp to promote statewide mask use, Columbus reported 143 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday — the largest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic.
Tuesday’s mark breaks the previous high of 128 cases set on June 23. Confirmed COVID-19 infections in Muscogee County have increased nearly 166% since June 1, rising from 632 cases to the current tally of 1,679.
Pam Kirkland, spokesperson for the West Central Health District said a portion of the increases are tied to increasing testing capacity. More than 250 test samples were collected at the health department’s Columbus headquarters Monday, and more than 300 samples were collected Tuesday. But, she said, the illness is also spreading because many residents are not following social distancing guidelines or wearing masks.
“Please wear a mask,” she said. “You really have to make an effort to do it.”
Kemp and Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey will stop in Columbus Wednesday morning as part of their “Wear a Mask” fly around tour ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Toomey and Kemp will speak at Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital at 9:15 a.m.
Kemp has said he does not plan to mandate the use of masks in the state and his recent executive orders seem to limit what coronavirus restrictions local governments can enact. On Tuesday however, Savannah became the first major Georgia city to require a face covering to be worn in public places.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Kemp’s office has not commented on the city’s decision, but the response might influence what other local governments across the state attempt to implement. Kemp signed executive orders Monday that extended a public health emergency and a set of restrictions tied to social distancing, sanitation and other coronavirus safety measures as cases and current hospitalizations increase.
As of June 30, 81,291 COVID-19 cases and 2,805 deaths have been confirmed in Georgia.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 5:12 PM.