PCR positives surpass the 5,000 mark since beginning of pandemic locally

Polk County’s new number of COVID-19 cases grew by new records twice since this past Friday, with the one-day new case total nearing the 100 mark amid the growing outbreak of the virus that has taken four lives this month, per the latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

PCR case figures surpassed the 5,000 mark locally – at 5,024 in total, along with 1,965 antigen positives reported on Tuesday – after a weekend growth from Friday to Monday of 224 total cases. Between Friday and Saturday this past weekend, 94 cases were added and broke the record set earlier in the week at 81. After an increase between Saturday and Sunday of 35, a new record was set again when the DPH added 95 new cases of the virus on Monday afternoon.

Per the state health agency’s figures reported online, the data put the number of hospitalizations at 421.

Four deaths have been reported during the month of August, another added to the grim toll on Monday. That brings the total of deaths locally to 91 from the virus since the first death was reported in May 2020. Along with that, 13 probable deaths have been reported by the agency.

The Polk School District put the latest number of cases within schools at 116 in total, the most so far at Cedartown High School with 27 as of their Tuesday update. Rockmart’s number stood at 21, and Cedartown Middle had 26 cases.

After surpassing the million case mark earlier in the month, Georgia is nearing another 1.1 million positives reported since tracking began in late February 2020 and reported online. The latest surge – based on figures provided by the DPH – matches that of the past winter in severity of increase. Statewide, hospitalizations continue to increase with another 445 patients admitted in the past day alone, to go along with 6,836 PCR cases, 3,962 antigen cases and 86 deaths on the day.

Some 19,680 Georgians have been lost since tracking began, along with more than 73,000 hospital admissions. Just over 12,000 ICU admissions have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic as well.

Georgians still below 50% full vaccination, sitting at 43% overall with 4.5+ million people having gotten both shots. 5.3 million have gotten at least a single shot, or 5.1% of the population.

DPH figures put local vaccination still well below where it should be. Polk County has finally surpassed 30% of the population fully vaccinated – only 31% thus far, or 12,912 people – and 36% of local residents have gotten at least a single shot, or 15,267 people.

That out of more than 40,000 local residents who call Polk County home.

Vaccinations can be had from the Polk County Health Department or through a health provider like Floyd Medical Center or Polk Medical Center.

Free testing is now available again at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds. Find out more about getting tested.

Check back for a new update on Wednesday with further figures.