How does latest COVID surge in Muscogee County compare to others? Take a look
The latest wave of COVID-19 cases in Muscogee County mirror the first surge of cases in the county between June and August last year, according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The most recent surge here began in July after Independence Day, before falling at the end of September. This was the third distinct wave of COVID-19 cases in Muscogee County, and health officials have attributed it to the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
Muscogee County’s 7-day moving average for cases, or the average number of cases for the past week recorded each day, reached a peak of 97 cases on Aug. 28. During the first wave of cases in 2020, the highest 7-day moving average occurred on July 20 with 105.4 cases.
The deadliest COVID-19 wave in Muscogee County happened during the winter months of the second wave, with the highest 7-day moving average for deaths in the county occurring on Jan. 30 with 3.9 deaths. The highest 7-day moving average for deaths in Muscogee County during the latest wave of cases is Oct. 5, with 2.3 deaths. This is comparable with the first wave, with the highest 7-day average of 2.4 deaths occurring on Aug. 13.
Statewide, children made up a much larger portion of COVID-19 cases during the latest surge, which started just before the academic year began. While adults ages 30-59 continued to make up the largest age group of those who tested positive for COVID-19, children 0-17 went from the smallest group in previous waves to the second largest.
Governor Brian Kemp urged Georgia residents to get vaccinated before the winter during a press conference last week, anticipating another COVID-19 winter surge.
Here are the latest COVID-19 trends in Muscogee and Harris counties.
Muscogee County
Muscogee County reported a two-week case rate of 262 cases per 100,000 people, as of Oct. 7. The rate has decreased every day in the past week, continuing a downward trend that began at the end of September.
There were 45 deaths from COVID-19 in September, which was three times as deadly as August’s 14 COVID deaths in Muscogee County.
In the last week, Muscogee County reported 11 deaths from COVID-19. There have been 509 deaths from COVID-19 in Muscogee County since the start of the pandemic.
There were 189 coronavirus cases reported in Muscogee County in the last two weeks. The seven-day moving average on Oct. 7 was 27 cases.
Over the last week, 2,402 new viral tests were reported, and Muscogee County’s test positivity rate for the past two weeks is 12.3%.
There are 84,951 residents (43%) in Muscogee County who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 74,882 (38%) are fully vaccinated.
Harris County
Harris County reported a two-week case rate of 271 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people on Oct. 7. There were 94 new cases reported in the county during the last two weeks, which follows the statewide, downward trend.
The county reported three COVID deaths in the last week. There have been 3,079 cases and 72 deaths in Harris County since the pandemic began.
There were 305 new viral tests reported in the last week, and Harris County’s test positivity rate for the past two weeks is 13.9%.
Harris County has fully vaccinated 42% of its residents, and 47% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Oct. 7.
Georgia update
Total cases: 1,238,404 (+16,176 reported since Oct. 1). 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.
Vaccination Rate: 55% of Georgians have received at least one dose, while 48% are fully vaccinated.
Total deaths: 23,236 (+759 deaths since Oct. 1). 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.
Positivity rate for Georgia today: 11.2%. The rate over the past two weeks is 9% positive.
Current COVID hospitalizations: 273 hospitalizations reported on Oct. 7.
More information about COVID-19 data in Georgia can be found on DPH’s COVID-19 status website.
