Georgia reports nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases, breaking a 24-hour record
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported almost 3,000 new cases Wednesday, the largest single-day increase to date.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Cases: 84,237 (+2,946 in 24 hours). Georgia has reported 2,000 or more new cases in three of the last four days. McClatchy measures new cases by subtracting the total number of infections reported at 3 p.m. from the total number of infections reported the previous day at 3 p.m. This reflects when confirmed cases are reported to the state.
- Georgia’s seven-day average for COVID-19 cases continues to climb. The average as of July 1 is 2,122.29 cases per day, the highest to date, according to data analyzed by McClatchy.
- Deaths: 2,827 (+22 deaths in 24 hours). It’s important to note that these numbers indicate when deaths are reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health. It does not reflect when these deaths occurred.
- Tests: 1,013,009. This number includes 157,971 antibody tests and 855,038 viral tests (+21,160 new viral tests in 24 hours). These totals don’t account for tests that are not reported through the state’s electronic lab reporting system.
- Current Hospitalizations: 1,570. That’s an increase of 111 patients in 24 hours. This count does not include patients who are being investigated for possible infection by health officials.
- Current hospitalizations are at their highest total since the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency began publishing this data to the public when 1,500 confirmed COVID-19 patients were in the hospital on May 1. Cody Hall, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp, told McClatchy the highest recorded total for current hospitalizations was 1,637 on April 23.
- Cases per 100,000: Echols (4,661.12), Chattahoochee (3,842.22), Randolph (2,961.21), Terrell (2,681) and Hancock (2,648.6) counties have the highest coronavirus rates per 100,000 people in the state.
- The health department is not reporting how many Georgians have recovered.
For a complete county-by-county list, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website.
Regional updates
- Macon reported the largest single-day increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Bibb County reported 922 cases, up 74 cases in 24 hours. As of July 1, 40 coronavirus-related deaths have been confirmed in Bibb, an increase of one in 24 hours.
- Muscogee County reported 1,741 total cases Wednesday (up 62 cases in 24 hours). As of July 1, 49 coronavirus-related deaths have been confirmed in Muscogee, an increase of two in 24 hours.
- Gwinnett County reports the highest number of cases in the state at 8,362.
Georgia dog tested positive for virus that causes COVID-19
The Georgia Department of Public Health said Wednesday that a dog tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This is the second known instance of a dog testing positive for the virus in the United States.
The dog, who was not named by state officials, was a 6-year-old mixed breed. The dog developed a sudden onset neurological illness that got worse over the course of a couple of days and was euthanized as a result. The illness was not caused by SARS-CoV-2, the state health department said.
The owners tested positive for COVID-19, but the dog did not have any evidence of respiratory disease. The dog was tested, and the presumptive positive result was confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory, the state health department said.
The state health department, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the virus’ presence in the dog.
Animals are not thought to be a source of infection for humans, state health officials said.
People who test positive for COVID-19 should take precautions if they have pets in the household.
- When possible, have another member of your household care for your pets while you are sick.
- Avoid contact with your pet including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, and sleeping in the same bed.
- If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 4:04 PM.