DALTON, Ga. – The North Georgia Health District has received notice that residents in Cherokee and Pickens counties, who had previously been listed in the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report as confirmed cases, have now sadly passed away.

The Cherokee County resident was a female in her 60s, and the Pickens County resident was a female in her 70s. Both were hospitalized at time of death with underlying health conditions.

These are the first deaths in the North Georgia Health District of residents who had been confirmed as being infected with COVID-19. The Health District is comprised of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties.

At the time of this announcement, county-by-county numbers of confirmed cases so far in the Health District included:

• Cherokee County: 46 (including the death)
• Fannin: 2
• Pickens: 4 (including the death)
• Whitfield: 6

The Health District works closely with Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) epidemiology to identify close contacts of all confirmed cases and provide the appropriate recommendations.

How the public can help:

• Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. 
• North Georgia Health District is coordinating with healthcare providers to determine if testing requests meet criteria for testing.
• If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your doctor first.
• Stay home when sick.
• Practice thorough personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid large gatherings of more than 10 people and maintain social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet away from others
• Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check the Health District’s website (http://bit.ly/COVID19-Updates-NorthGA) or follow us on social media. 

As we anticipate more cases, the North Georgia Health District will not issue press releases for each individual case. Updates will be posted on the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report at 12 PM and 7 PM and will be shared on the Health District’s social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

North GA – In order to protect our clients, health department staff, residents and communities and to better shift our focus on our coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response, the North Georgia Health District is limiting services to only the most crucial public health services.

At all public health departments in *Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties, these are the services that are currently offered until further notice:

• • Birth Control
  • STD/HIV testing
  • Immunizations for children 5 years of age and under
  • Tdap vaccinations
  • Hepatitis A vaccinations
  • Medicaid enrollment for women’s health and pregnancy
  • WIC vouchers

*The Woodstock health department clinic will only provide Vital Records services at this time.

Protective measures in place at our county health departments, include:

• • Residents are urged to make an appointment for services.
  • Visitors will be screened at health department entrances for symptoms of COVID-19, including fever or cough, or if they have tested positive for the virus.
  • To help limit the number of people entering the health department and maintain social distancing, adult clients are asked to enter the health department alone, instructing any other adults or older teens who may be accompanying them to remain outside or in their vehicle.
  • Children who are clients are to be accompanied by one adult.

These measures are in place for the safety of our clients, health department staff, residents and communities.

Local county health departments in North Georgia may be reached at the following numbers:

• • Cherokee: Canton (770) 345-7371 Woodstock: (770) 928-0133
  • Fannin (706) 632-3023
  • Gilmer (706) 635-4363
  • Murray (706) 695-4585
  • Pickens (706) 253-2821
  • Whitfield (706) 279-9600 

We regret this inconvenience to the public, but it is part of the North Georgia Health District effort to protect our communities as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For easy access to the latest COVID-19 updates and recommendations from both the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click on our COVID-19 Information for North Georgians page.

Our District's Latest COVID-19 Updates: 

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) follows the guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) for all COVID-19 vaccine, at all stages of dosage, including the Updated Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters. Access the latest recommendations for all approved doses of COVID-19 vaccine and eligibilities HERE and note that all COVID-19 vaccine doses are available with no appointment needed at each county health department in the North Georgia Health District, which includes Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, as well as its variants, and is regularly coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on the virus and the latest variants. Cases have been identified globally, in the United States, and in Georgia.

This continues to be an evolving situation and information is subject to change, so here is where you can conveniently link to all updated information from both Georgia DPH and the CDC.

There have been over 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia and thousands of related deaths. However, there are now over 6 million Georgians fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including nearly 250,000 residents in the North Georgia Health District. Click here to go to the Georgia DPH COVID-19 Status Report. 

Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine and live or work in Georgia?

Learn More... Click HERE.

Dr. Pablo Perez, internist in Dalton GA, receives a COVID-19 vaccination from Robin Coffey, registered nurse for the Whitfield County Health Department, on Dec.18, 2020, as the initial roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine begins in North Georgia and statewide to healthcare workers and first responders. 

CHEROKEE - FANNIN - GILMER 

MURRAY - PICKENS - WHITFIELD 

                      Click HERE for Health District Overview                                  All posted data was captured on 2-6-2024 

Updated COVID-19 Status in Georgia Report 

Click here to find Georgia's COVID-19 daily status of case and hospitalizations with interactive charts and graphs.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Status in Georgia Report 

Click on the icon for the latest vaccine updates and access the Georgia DPH Dashboard for all the latest COVID-19 vaccine data in Georgia.

Updated COVID-19 Testing Information 

COVID-19 testing is available to all Georgians who request it, whether they have symptoms or not. Get updated information about COVID-19 testing and test providers in Georgia.

Updated COVID-19 Guidance 

Find out the latest COVID-19 Guidance provided by the Georgia Department of Public health, including procedures and protocols to help stop the spread.

Check out the PDF version of a children’s book that helps children understand our COVID-19 pandemic world when returning to school. Below is the book titled “I Am Going Back To School”, written by Aileen Mui and Vivian Wong - just click on the book below provided in English and Spanish and share with family, friends and associates who have children going back to school.

State and Federal Response Websites:

CDC

Georgia Department of Public Health

FREE COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE IN NORTH GEORGIA. LEARN MORE HERE.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, as well as its variants, and is regularly coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cases have been identified in international locations, the United States and Georgia.

This is still a rapidly evolving situation and information is subject to change, so here is where you can conveniently link to all updated information from both Georgia DPH and the CDC.

There have been hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia and thousands of related deaths. However, there have also been many thousands of Georgians now vaccinated against COVID-19, including over 100,000 vaccinations distributed by public health in the North Georgia Health District. Click here to the Georgia DPH COVID-19 Daily Status Report for the latest data per county. 

Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine and live or work in North Georgia?

Learn More... Click HERE.

ALERT: Following the guidance of the FDA and CDC, Georgia is pausing ALL J&J vaccinations until further notice. Click HERE for more information.

 Updates about COVID-19 Vaccine in Georgia for the general public, providers and healthcare professionals are on the Georgia Department of Public Health website. Click below:

CHEROKEE - FANNIN - GILMER 

MURRAY - PICKENS - WHITFIELD 

Updated COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance 

The CDC recently updated the quarantine guidance for close contacts  - click here to access the most current DPH quarantine guidelines based on these updates and also reference the below graphic on quarantine details.

General Information You Need to Know

• About COVID-19
• COVID-19 Situation Update from the CDC
• How To Protect Yourself
• What to Do if You're Sick
• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities                                       
• Information about Large Public Gatherings
• Home Isolation and Disease Prevention in Household
• Testing Information

Resources for Specific Groups

• DPH Guidance for Specific Groups
• Resources for Households
• Resources for K-12 Schools & Childcare
• Resources for Colleges & Higher Education
• Resources for Travelers
• Resources for Higher Risk Groups, Pregnant Women, and the Homeless
• Resources for Businesses & Employers
• Resources for Community & Faith Groups
• Resources for Events & Mass Gatherings
• Resources for First Responders
• Guidance for EMS and 911 PSAPs
• Resources for Healthcare Professionals
• Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes

 Check out the PDF version of a children’s book that helps children understand our COVID-19 pandemic world when returning to school. Below is the book titled “I Am Going Back To School”, written by Aileen Mui and Vivian Wong - just click on the book below provided in English and Spanish and share with family, friends and associates who have children going back to school.

Additional COVID-19 Resources from Georgia DPH and the CDC

 

 

COVID-19 General Information Factsheet (1.2 MB)

COVID-19 Guidance for Restaurants (64.29 KB)

COVID-19 Handwashing Poster(1.17 MB)

COVID-19 Information Powerpoint (17.58 MB)

COVID-19 in Georgia and Beyond Teleconference

DPH Contact Guidance (195.17 KB)

DPH Isolation Guidance (162.1 KB)

Guidance for Georgia Clinicians (1.02 MB)

 CMS Nursing Home Guidance QSO-20-14

 

Covid-19 en Espanol:

Cómo protegerse y proteger a los demás - Talking Points.pdf

Face Mask in Spanish.pdf

How to make Cloth Face Coverings - in Spanish

Stop Germs - Spanish

Spanish CDC_10 things you can do to manage your COVID symptoms at home

Protect Against COVID-19 Card - Sp.pdf

COVID-19: Protect Yourself and Your Family - Video in Spanish 
How to Make a Cloth Face Covering to Prevent COVID-19 - Video in Spanish

 

State and Federal Response Websites:

CDC

Georgia Department of Public Health

Take Advantage of the Opportunity to Keep Them Safe

North Georgia – Vaccinate your preteen today to protect them and their healthy future.

In an effort to keep every adult and child safe, all six counties in the North Georgia Health District are joining the Georgia Department of Public Health in recognizing March 9-13, 2020 as Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week. This week serves as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccines for preteens are available at the public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties.

“Every parent wants to protect their child and see them live a healthy life, yet many times parents don’t see vaccination as an urgent need,” said Sheila Lovett, Immunization Program director for the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Vaccinating your child is the single best way to protect them from preventable diseases, so we urge parents to prioritize vaccinations.”

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students born on or after January 1, 2002, entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into eighth - 12^th grades in Georgia need proof of receiving one dose of adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND one dose of adolescent meningococcal conjugate vaccination (MenACWY). Effective July 1, 2020, children sixteen years of age and older who are attending eleventh grade must receive a booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, unless their initial dose was administered on or after their sixteenth birthday. This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).

Vaccines are the best defense we have against serious, preventable and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and after school activities and decrease the spread of illness at home, school and the community.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently routinely recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:

• • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)

Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia’s pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students. Speak with your physician today to find out if your preteen is up-to-date.

For more information, click here.

 NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT COVID-19 UPDATE

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 UPDATE

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and regularly coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak continues to grow in China and cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States.

There is now community (person to person) spread in other countries outside of China. There are ongoing investigations to learn more about the virus, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent the spread of disease.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may resemble the common cold or seasonal flu, which is a far greater risk this time of year. The best way to prevent infection with any respiratory virus is to use the same preventative strategies used during a normal cold and flu season: get a flu shot, wash hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness until they resolve. It is important to remember that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds and this type of stigma should be avoided. For more about stigma related to COVID-19 and how to prevent it, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/related-stigma.html.

Persons who have traveled from affected countries/areas in the past 14 days and have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical care, and should contact their healthcare provider and inform them of their travel history before going in.

DPH  is advising healthcare providers statewide to be alert for patients who have traveled from affected countries/areas and present with a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness. The Department disseminated a detailed medical advisory to healthcare providers about COVID-19 reporting, testing, specimen collection and healthcare infection control recommendations for potential COVID-19 cases.

Healthcare providers who suspect COVID-19 infection in a patient should report them immediately to DPH by calling 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584) and ask for a Medical Epidemiologist.

 CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION (CDC) COVID-19 UPDATE