Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Dr. Kathleen Toomey of the Department of Public Health held an Aug. 30 news conference to provide wide ranging updates on COVID-19, the Georgia National Guard and students contracting the virus.
Toomey reported all 159 Georgia counties all are listed as having a high transmission level. She said the new cases and hospitalizations are approaching, and in some areas higher than in January.
She also had a grim report for the state’s students.
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“We’re seeing a significant number of cases among school age children, and the cases have quadrupled over the last several weeks,” Toomey reported. “With the sharpest increase, the highest number of cases in children aged 11 to 17. Children can transmit the virus, and they are becoming infected. We’ve seen the highest numbers of weekly outbreaks since the pandemic began, 170 outbreaks statewide with more than half of these outbreaks in K through 12 schools”
She said hospitalizations of children are also rising but not yet approaching the levels of adult patients.
Kemp said he remains opposed to enacting a mask mandate. The focus needs to stay on getting more people vaccinated.
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“I think our schools, especially in higher education, are doing a great job of incentivizing that, making the vaccine available,” he said.
The governor also issued an updated executive order.
Kemp said he is activating up to 2,500 Guards to be used for COVID-19 economic recovery.
“While we are limited in the number of medically trained Guard members, we can call up due to their civilian employment, hospitals and health care systems across our state have started requesting Guardsmen and women for a variety of non-medical roles,” he said.
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He said hospital CEOs told him the troops can be used for a variety of jobs including directing traffic, helping in cafeterias and cleaning.
Kemp said over the past few days he heard reports of health care systems having problems getting needed supplies, including oxygen. His new order suspends weight limits and federal regulations limiting the number of hours that drivers of commercial vehicles can be on the road so the supplies can get to hospitals.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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