The Georgia Department of Public Health’s daily COVID-19 status report released at noon showed 287 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Georgia. This is up from Wednesday’s report of 197 confirmed cases. The confirmed number of COVID-19 deaths in the state was 10.
The Department of Public Health notes that this data represents confirmed cases reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health. A confirmed case is defined as a person who has tested positive for 2019 novel coronavirus.
As of the noon report for Thursday, March 19, there were NO confirmed cases in Washington County.
The breakdown of where those confirmed cases are located are as follows:
Fulton County: 66 cases
Cobb County: 37 cases
Bartow County: 26 cases
Dekalb County: 22 cases
Dougherty County: 20 cases
Cherokee County: 16 cases
Fayette County: 9 cases
Gwinnett County: 12 cases
Clarke County: 8 cases
Lowndes County: 6 cases
Floyd County: 6 cases
Clayton County: 6 cases
Hall County: 5 cases
Gordon County: 4 cases
Lee County: 3 cases
Coweta County: 3 cases
Paulding County: 3 cases
Newton County: 3 cases
Forsyth County: 3 cases
Henry County: 3 cases
Early County 2 cases
Glynn County: 2 cases
Laurens County: 2 cases
Richmond County: 2 cases
Troup County: 2 cases
Rockdale County: 1 case
Houston County: 1 case
Charlton County: 1 case
Whitfield County: 1 case
Polk County: 1 case
Columbia County: 1 case
Barrow County: 1 case
Bibb County: 1 case
Peach County: 1 case
Muscogee County: 1 case
Unknown: 6 cases
The North Central Health District has three cases of confirmed COVID-19. The North Central Health District is a 13-county district in Central Georgia. The first case was in Houston County identified on March 18. The second case was in Macon-Bibb County, followed by the third case in Peach County.
COVID-19 is spread by an infected person’s coughs and sneezes or close contact with an infected individual. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The best way to protect against COVID-19 is to practice germ prevention:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water a not available, us an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use the inside of your elbow to cover yourself.
- Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces.
Healthcare facilities are working with the Georgia Public Health Laboratory and private labs to process tests. NCHD’s 13 county health departments do not offer testing at this time. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider before visiting the location.