Three more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Georgia and a fourth person has tested positive for the disease but the test result has not yet been confirmed, according to state health officials.
The confirmed cases are in Cobb, Fulton and Polk Counties. The unconfirmed case is in Gwinnett County.
The individual is from Cobb County recently returned from Italy and is isolated at home. The second individual is from Fulton County and is hospitalized. The source of this individual’s exposure is unclear at this time, officials say. Testing for these two cases was done solely by the CDC, prior to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory having the capacity to test for COVID-19.
CDC testing has confirmed the presumptive positive test for COVID-19 in 46-year-old woman in Polk County. That individual is hospitalized.
Additionally, The Georgia Department of Public Health is awaiting confirmatory testing on a presumptive positive test for coronavirus in a resident of Gwinnett County. The initial testing was completed by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory on March 6. The individual recently returned from Italy and was self-monitoring at home, and is now isolated at home.
“Federal and state officials continue to work closely together to conduct testing and determine the extent of exposure for confirmed cases of COVID-19. The risk to Georgians remains low. We ask Georgians to stay vigilant, utilize best practices to mitigate health risk, and remain calm,” said Governor Kemp.
Despite the new cases, health officials still say the threat to the general public remains low.
“DPH is prepared to mitigate the spread of this virus in our state, and we are aggressively working to identify anyone who may have had contact with these individuals,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, MD, MPH, DPH Commissioner. “Despite these new cases, the overall risk of COVID-19 to the general public remains low; but each new case of COVID-19 in Georgia reinforces the fact that we should all be practicing basic prevention measures that are extremely effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and all respiratory illnesses.”
The Department of Public Health is reminding Georgians to follow basic prevention measures for any respiratory illness, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of coronavirus and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have coronavirus, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away.
Health department officials want to sress the importance of calling ahead before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about any recent travel and symptoms.
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