COVID-19 cases remain on a steady, slow rise after increases over the weekend and as the week started, according to the latest figures from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Three cases on Saturday, two on Sunday and one more today bring the current tally to 206 positives in Polk County. The good news is the number of hospitalizations remained flat locally at 15, and no new deaths have been reported since the sole life lost in May was added to the statewide tally.

Georgia’s number of COVID-19 positives cumulatively stood at 79,417 people, with 10,824 of those requiring hospitalizations since late February. Among the hospitalization figures is the 2,289 patients who have needed ICU treatment.

Sadly, some 2,784 people have now died from the virus in Georgia as of Monday, June 29.

980,492 total tests have been processed since reporting began as well, a huge increase since mid-April when additional sites began to open up.

Regionally, positives also continue to trend upward. Bartow County’s latest figure stood at 677 cases, with 155 people hospitalized and 42 people who have died. In Paulding County, where the car line at the health department where tests are being offered stretched down to the intersection on Highway 278 earlier this afternoon, the numbers stood at 565 positives, 91 people hospitalized and 15 deaths.

Floyd County’s current number stood at 502 positives, with 54 people hospitalized and 15 people who have died. Southward in Haralson County, 68 people have tested positive for the virus, with 16 hospitalizations and five deaths.

Nationwide, the number of positives continues to grow according to CDC figures. They put the new tally on Monday, June 29 at 2,545,250 positives with 126,369 people who have died.

Last week, it was reported by Reuters that there is a potential for 180,000 deaths from COVID-19 as of October.