Officials encourage masks as coronavirus cases spike

July 1, 2020
1 min read
Officials encourage masks as coronavirus cases spike
Gov. Brian Kemp (left) and Georgia Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey (right) embarked on a statewide tour to promote mask use during the early months of the pandemic.

Georgia’s number of new coronavirus cases in a single-day hit another high Wednesday, as the state added 2,946 new cases to its numbers. Keeping with current trends, hospitalizations were also high, with 224 more people hospitalized in one day.

Georgia’s total number of COVID-19 cases is now 84,237, with 2,827 people dead from the virus and 11,275 hospitalizations.

Wednesday marks the third time in seven days that the state has seen more than 2,000 new cases reported in one day.

As the numbers continue to rise, local and state officials are responding with pleas for residents to wear masks.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Department of Public Health Director Dr. Kathleen Toomey are embarking on a flyover tour of Georgia, making stops throughout the state to encourage mask wearing.

DeKalb County announced it will be sending alerts directly to the phones of residents and visitors during the Fourth of July holiday weekend alerting them to the “imminent threat” of COVID-19.

Cobb and Douglas County’s public health department is also alerting residents to the increase in cases in the area and is encouraging residents to socially distance and wear masks.

The City of Savannah made mask wearing mandatory on Tuesday.

Officials are particularly concerned about high numbers of people disregarding social distancing measures and health guidelines during the Fourth of July weekend, which could drive the number of cases even higher.

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