Columbus reports 18 new COVID-19 cases Monday. It’s the lowest increase since late June
Muscogee County reported 18 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths Monday as pandemic data points continue to drop following record highs in mid-to-late July.
According to the latest data release from the Georgia Department of Public Health, 5,304 coronavirus cases and 122 deaths in Columbus have been confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Monday’s new case count was the lowest seen in Muscogee County since late June. However, Mondays are typically a slow data reporting day statewide.
On Monday, 275 viral tests were reported, and Muscogee County’s test positivity rate for the past two weeks is 9.3%. Since the start of the pandemic, 11.5% of Muscogee County’s tests have been positive. The World Health Organization’s recommended test positivity percentage is 5% or less to properly track outbreaks and locate milder cases of the disease.
The Georgia Geospatial Information Office, using data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health, breaks down the county’s cases and deaths by age, sex, race and ethnicity.
According to the data, adults ages 25 to 34 account for 1,111 (about 21%) of Columbus’ cases. That is the largest portion. Female residents account for 3,002 (57%) of the county’s cases. Black residents account for 2,174 (41%) of Columbus’ cases, while the race of about 1,740 (about 33%) cases is unknown.
People ages 65-74 account for the largest portion of COVID-19 deaths in Muscogee County — 36 deaths (30%). Female residents account for the largest portion of deaths with 68 (56%) overall. Black residents account for 68 (56%) of the county’s coronavirus deaths.
Other counties in the Columbus area also saw small increases, including Chattahoochee County. The county reported 11 new cases Monday, bringing its total to 942. The county has two coronavirus-related deaths. No new deaths were reported. Chattahoochee County (8,763.61) has the highest number of cases per 100,000 people in Georgia.
Georgia update
Cases: 256,253 (+2,337 reported today). The number of new cases reported in a day may not match the difference in total cases over a 24-hour period. This occurs because previously reported cases may be removed as duplicate reports are corrected. An older confirmed case may also be reclassified as additional information is collected during an investigation.
Georgia reported 1,843 coronavirus cases a week ago on Aug. 17, and 2,429 coronavirus cases two weeks ago on Aug. 10.
Deaths: 5,156 (+25 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: Georgia reported 269,215 total antibody tests and 2,205,181 total viral tests (+33,297 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 COVID hospitalizations: 2,350. That’s a decrease of 10 patients in 24 hours. The count includes any patient in a Georgia hospital who has tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of the report. This count does not include patients who are being investigated for possible infection by health officials.
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 4:22 PM.