October marks deadliest month of latest COVID-19 surge for Muscogee County
October marked the deadliest month of the delta variant wave for Muscogee County with 51 reported coronavirus deaths, data from the Georgia Department of Public Health shows.
Although COVID-19 cases fell throughout the month, deaths remained high due to the lag between when a person diagnosed with the virus dies and when that death is reported. Since July, there have been 128 COVID-related deaths in Muscogee County.
Public health officials have maintained that the COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent severe cases that result in hospitalizations and death. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson have both encouraged residents to speak with health care professionals about getting vaccinated ahead of the winter months.
On Oct. 20, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines allowing the use of a single booster dose of the three available vaccines for eligible individuals.
Some individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after the initial series, Pamela Kirkland, spokesperson for the West Central Health District, said in a news release. These individuals include:
65 years and older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
People ages 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may receive a booster shot, of any kind, if they were vaccinated two or more months ago.
“Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received,” Kirkland said. “And others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.”
Public health officials have encouraged residents to speak with medical professionals about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The West Central Health District offers free Uber rides for those who need transportation to their local health department for any service.
Here are the latest COVID-19 trends in Muscogee and Harris counties, according to DPH data.
Muscogee County
Muscogee County reported a two-week case rate of 99 cases per 100,000 people as of Nov. 4, dropping below 100 cases for the first time since July 19. There were 189 coronavirus cases reported in Muscogee County in the last two weeks.
In the last week, the county has reported 12 deaths from COVID-19.
The seven-day moving average on Nov. 4 was 13 cases, continuing the downward trend of the past two months. The seven-day moving average is found by taking the number of cases reported in the last seven days, adding them up and then dividing by seven.
Over the last week, 1,682 new viral tests were reported, and Muscogee County’s test positivity rate for the past two weeks is 7.1%.
As of Nov. 4, 87,901 residents (45%) in Muscogee County who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 77,879 (40%) are fully vaccinated.
Harris County
Harris County reported 42 COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, at a two-week case rate of 121 cases per 100,000 people. The county reported 10 deaths in October, with two deaths in the last week.
There have been 3,196 cases and 80 deaths in the county since the pandemic began.
There were 250 new viral tests reported in the last week, and Harris County’s test positivity rate for the past two weeks is 9.1%.
Harris County has fully vaccinated 43% (14,720 people) of its residents, as of Nov. 4, and 49% (16,617 people) of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Georgia update
Total cases: 1,267,762 (+5,063 reported since Oct. 29). 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: 56% of Georgians have received at least one dose, while 50% are fully vaccinated.
Total deaths: 25,042 (+378 deaths since Oct. 29). 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%. The rate over the past two weeks is 3.8% positive.
Current COVID hospitalizations: 164 hospitalizations reported on Nov. 4.
More information about COVID-19 data in Georgia can be found on DPH’s COVID-19 status website.
This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
