by Robin Kemp
COVID-19 is spreading rapidly through Clayton County, according to the latest data from the Clayton County Health District and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The hardest-hit age groups are 10- to 19-year-olds and 30- to 39-year-olds:
As of August 29 in Clayton County:
- 29,677 people have had COVID-19
- 529 people have died
- 1,206 people tested positive for COVID-19 for the week ending August 29
- 2.8% of the total cases in Georgia come from Clayton County
- 5.6% of people who have tested positive have been hospitalized
- 1.8% of people who have tested positive have died
- 14.2% of PCR tests in the past week were positive
- 9,601 cases per 100,000 had positive PCR tests
- 10,778 cases per 100,000 (both PCR and Antigen)were positive
- 117,427 residents (41%) have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccination
- 99,369 residents (35%) have been fully vaccinated
Since August 2, 148 Clayton County residents have been hospitalized–an increase of 152.4%.
The Clayton County Board of Education is planning for Virtual Leaning In-District for grades K thorough 8 as soon as the second nine-week period of this school year. The plan would include K-8 classrooms using simultaneous learning, new online enrollments, and new requests from currently-enrolled students. About 7,000 students and their families have expressed interest, according to school officials. Superintendent Dr. Morcease Beasley said at Monday night’s meeting, “All schools understand that they need to be ready [to go virtual] at the drop of a dime.”
Clayton County is the only county that is paying its employees for sick leave, said School Board Chair Jessie Goree, adding that all the other districts are using federal COVID funding.
Goree said some teachers’ union representatives had expressed concern that there were not enough people doing contact tracing in schools. Additional people have been hired since then. One problem is that people who are sick might not answer the phone when contact tracers call for information. Goree said she thought the team should be expanded “ASAP.”
After Labor Day, Clayton County Public Schools will be doing PCR testing and vaccinations–with parental permission–at schools, with help from Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services. Results take about 24 hours to turn around. Efforts are underway to provide second and third shots, as well.
On Friday at Lovejoy Middle School, anyone–not just students or teachers–can get a free Pfizer vaccination dfrom 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The mass vaccination event takes place at 1588 Lovejoy Road in Lovejoy. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Register online at https://forms.gle/DTsWQ1mT7HKmcBS59.
The second Pfizer dose will be offered Friday, September 24.
Also on Friday, the Clayton County Health District will be offering free Pfizer vaccinations. To book an appointment, go to COVID-19 Vaccination Registration (powerapps portals.us), fill out the COVID-19 questionnaire, then search for “Clayton County – Battle Creek Dose 1 Pfizer on September 3rd.” If you need help making an appointment, call (678) 479-2223.
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