NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT

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  • NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

    NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Closed early due to weather banner

North GA - Due to predicted hazardous weather, the MAKO Medical COVID-19 Drive-thru Test sites in Dalton, Ellijay, Jasper and Woodstock are CLOSED Wednesday, April 6, 2022. These are all the MAKO test sites in the North Georgia Health District that had been scheduled to open this day.

All updates for the drive-thru test sites are posted to the health district website HERE and on our social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Closed early due to weather banner

North GA - Due to inclement weather, the MAKO Medical COVID-19 Drive-thru Test sites in Dalton, Jasper and Woodstock have closed today, Tuesday, April 5, 2022. 

All updates for the drive-thru test sites are posted to the North Georgia Health District HERE and on our social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

2nd Booster
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North GA – Second Booster Doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now authorized and available at Health Departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties. A second booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of which vaccine doses were previously given (however, only Pfizer vaccine is authorized for ages 12 to 17), is highly recommended for:

  • People 50 years old and older, at least 4 months after receiving a 1st booster of any authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
  • People 12 years old and older who are immunocompromised, at least 4 months after receiving a 1st dose of any authorized COVID-19 vaccine (however, only Pfizer vaccine is authorized for 12- to 17-year-olds).
  • People 18 years old and older who received *Janssen as both their primary series dose and booster, at least 4 months after that 1st booster.

 *Although mRNA vaccines are preferred for the first booster, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

DPH News Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 31, 2022

Download this pdf file. Increased Reports of Overdoses Involving Drugs Mixed with Fentanyl

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Drug Surveillance Unit has received increased reports of overdoses due to drugs mixed with fentanyl, particularly cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills. Overdoses have been Download this pdf file. reported in several areas of the state over the past month.

Between early February and mid-March, at least 66 emergency department visits involved the use of cocaine, methamphetamine, crack, heroin, pain killers and cannabis products that were likely laced with fentanyl. Patients described extreme reactions to drugs – one patient reported taking a Percocet and went unresponsive – or patients were seen for a stimulant overdose but had a positive response to naloxone. Naloxone is administered to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

Fentanyl is a deadly substance that can be made illegally and found in all types of street drugs, not just opioids. It is important to know that it is possible to have an opioid overdose from a stimulant (e.g., cocaine) that is laced with fentanyl.