by Robin Kemp
The Georgia Department of Public Health reports 634 residents tested positive for COVID-19 last week, bringing the total number of cases since the pandemic started last year to 32,331. As of press time, in the past two weeks, 1,561 Clayton County residents have tested positive for the virus. At least 578 people in Clayton County have died of COVID-19, with another 30 probable deaths due to the virus, and 1,873 have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
The seven-day moving average, which is the average number of cases in the past seven days and a measure that government officials look at while planning their COVID-19 response, is 100.9 for Clayton County.
As of Sunday, September 19, 44% of Clayton County residents (124,676) have gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 38% (107,313) of residents have been fully vaccinated. Doctors say it takes about two weeks for a fully-vaccinated person to reach full immunity–which means that, even if the vaccinated person catches COVID-19, they will experience far milder symptoms and almost eliminate their chance of dying of the disease.
By contrast, nearly all Clayton County residents who have died of COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
Statewide, COVID-19 is running wild among people ages 18 to 29:
Among those claimed by COVID-19 last week was the husband of Jonesboro City Councilwoman Tracey Messick. Michael Messick, 60, was a music teacher and veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served in the BQE 26th United States Army Band. Services are scheduled for Friday, September 24 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro chapel. Donations in Messick’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. The Clayton Crescent extends condolences to the family of “Mr. Mike,” as well as to his many students.
