VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) — The South Health District in Georgia is currently experiencing the "most significant increase in COVID-19 cases that the district has seen since the pandemic began," according to state health officials.
In a press release Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Public Health said that the positivity rate across the district has increased to 15 to 27 percent in the last two weeks.
These numbers are an increase of up to 10 percent from earlier in December and double or more the positivity rate from October, according to the GDPH.
“These numbers are absolutely stunning, and we know that we have just started to see cases from the Christmas holiday which means this will likely continue to increase,” said Dr. William R. Grow, district health director.
Dr. Grow was also one of the first in the state to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccinealmost two weeks ago.
The testing rates in the district have continued to increase since October, with testing sites being very busy the last several weeks, the GDPH said.
The Southern Health District of Georgia includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner counties.
Self-registration for COVID testing is available online by clicking here.
