Government buildings in Cumming will light up purple on Aug. 31
News August 20, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — On Aug. 31, the government buildings in Cumming will join buildings and landmarks across the nation in lighting up purple in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, all drug overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 55.9 percent from 2019 to 2021 with Fentanyl-related overdose deaths increasing in Georgia by 106.2% between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021.
During their Aug. 18 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 31, as Overdose Awareness Day in Forsyth County and urged all residents to learn more about prescription drug overdose prevention as well as how to aid and support those that are affected by it.
High temperatures in Georgia raise health concerns
Press Release June 15, 2022
ATLANTA – With temperatures expected to be in the high 90’s throughout the state for the next
several days, and at times feeling like more than 100 degrees with the humidity, the Georgia
Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat
and sun and to limit strenuous outdoor activity to prevent heat related illnesses.
To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to stay cool, stay
hydrated and stay informed.
STAY COOL
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping
mall or public library or a friend or relative’s home – even a few hours spent in air conditioning
can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not
prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath is a much better way to cool off.
NEVER leave infants, children, adults or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked
open. If you see anyone locked in a hot vehicle, call 911.
Avoid using heat-generating appliances like your stove and oven. Avoid hot and heavy meals
which will only add heat to your body.
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Cut down on exercise. If you must
exercise, take short breaks and stay hydrated.
When you are outdoors, protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and
sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or
“UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
STAY HYDRATED
Drink plenty of water even before you are thirsty. Don’t wait until you are already thirsty. Avoid
sugary or alcoholic beverages which can cause you to lose even more body fluid. Beware that
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very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps. As you lose salt and minerals from your body while
sweating, replace them. A sports drink will help with this.
STAY INFORMED
Prepare for extreme heat ahead of time by keeping an eye on local weather forecasts.
Use the buddy system to check on each other at least twice a day while working in extreme
heat. Heat-related illness can cause confusion or loss of consciousness.
Keep a close eye on those at greater risk for heat-related illness:
• Infants and young children
• People 65 years of age or older
• People who are overweight
• People who overexert during work or exercise
• People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or
who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation
If you are at greater risk for heat-related illness, have a friend or relative call to check on you
twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this group, check on them at least
twice a day.
Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
And don’t forget your pets! Any time your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from
heat and sun, and that they have plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water
when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow. A doghouse
does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.
For more information about extreme heat and precautions to take to prevent heat-related
illnesses, log on to https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html.
Vaccinations halted at Cumming Fairgrounds
Press Release April 10, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
CUMMING, Ga. – Georgia Department of Public Health has halted vaccinations at Cumming Fairgrounds after eight people reported adverse reactions to the J&J shot Wednesday.
Officials said one person was taken to the hospital then released. Seven more were evaluated on site then went home.
According to a Department of Public Health press release, the reactions were, “Consistent with common reactions to adults being vaccinated with any vaccine but due to the number of individuals affected, the site stopped the J&J vaccinations to evaluate.”
Director of Public Health Dr. Kathleen Toomey issued the following statement: “There is no reason to believe there is anything wrong with the vaccine itself and other individuals who have received the J&J vaccine should be concerned. We are looking into what happened and what may have caused the reactions, including conditions at the fairgrounds such as heat and the ability to keep the site cool.”
The Centers for Disease Control is also evaluating the situation here and in North Carolina, Iowa and Colorado where similar reactions were reported.
UPDATE: COVID-19 status report 8/27
News July 2, 2020
Updated 8/27 at 3 pm
ATLANTA – Georgia Department of Public Heath (DPH) reported at 3 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 27) 263,074 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 5,393 deaths and 24,127 people have been hospitalized.
There were 2,975 confirmed cases in Forsyth County resulting in 31 deaths.
The DPH updates statistics daily at 3 p.m.
Georgia DPH adjusts COVID-19 models to include asymptomatic transmission
News, Police & Government, State & National April 1, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As of April 1, Georgia had 4,748 cases and 20,328 completed COVID-19 tests, but Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has only tested symptomatic and high-risk patients. As a result, some cases have gone undiagnosed across Georgia.
Currently, DPH is following CDC guidelines, which still states online that not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Most people who contract the virus will recover and can care for themselves at home. CDC gave healthcare workers four priority categories to help decide who receives tests.
Asymptomatic individuals were ranked last, and those exhibiting mild symptoms or subjected to potential community spread should only be tested if resources are available.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy went on record about the issue.
“Some people take care of themselves at home and never go to a doctor, especially those who have minor symptoms,” he explained. Murphy added that White County first responders have encountered a dozen or more patients with coronavirus symptoms in the last two weeks.
DPH guidance for healthcare facilities when it comes to testing lower priority potential cases is as follows:
Patients with mild illness who do not require medical care or who are not a DIRECT contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case (meaning the person has NOT been within 6 feet of a confirmed case for greater than 10 minutes, will not meet criteria to be tested at GPHL but can be tested at commercial labs—see below:
These patients should self-isolate at home until symptoms resolve. If respiratory symptoms worsen, they may need to be re-evaluated. Guidance for safe home care can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-homecare.html.
If you want to test these patients for COVID-19, commercial laboratory testing is the best option. Commercial laboratories are expected to conduct a substantial number of COVID-19 tests going forward. Currently, the primary source of testing is LabCorp, but we expect other laboratories will be testing in the near future as well, including Quest and ARUP. Neither LabCorp nor Quest will collect specimens at their facilities. Providers should contact LabCorp or Quest regarding supplies needed for testing.
DPH Commissioner Kathleen Toomey addressed that asymptomatic individuals in Georgia aren’t being tested but could be transmitting the virus to numerous Georgians. The state and DPH now believe the time is now appropriate to take “very aggressive measures.”
“We have not been testing everybody. We have only been testing those who have symptoms and those who are the most ill. And now, we recognize a game-changer, in how our strategy to fight COVID has unfolded. We realize now that individuals may be spreading the virus and not even realize they have an infection. As many as 1 in 4 people with coronavirus don’t realize they have the infection because they have no symptoms whatsoever,” explained Toomey.
“Finding out that this virus is now transmitting before they see signs,” remarked Gov. Brian Kemp. “Those individuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad.”
Kemp is expected to sign a shelter in place order on Thursday, April 2 to prevent people from ignoring self-quarantine recommendations. The details on the order are yet to be released.
Toomey further voiced that they knew asymptomatic community spread was possible due to the cruise ship cases. As of March 4, the CDC website also stated that asymptomatic spread is possible, but not as common as among individuals who are visibly sick.
Until the past 24-hours, all the DPH models relied on data solely from patients with symptoms.
“I think it’s a combination of recognizing not only that there are probably a large number of people out there who are infected who are asymptomatic, who never would have been recognized under our old models, but also seeing the community transmission that we’re seeing and now is the time to stop that transmission before the hospitals are overrun,” said Toomey.
How can Georgians prevent exposure/slow the spread?
Follow the CDC guidelines:
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds – wash often
- Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces
- Avoid social contact and stay home
- Social distance if in public – stay six feet apart from each other
- Avoid touching the face – mouth, nose, eyes
- If sick, stay home
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away
- Wear a facemask if sick
By following these guidelines and Kemp’s shelter-in-place order, Georgian’s should be able to flatten the curve and hopefully protect themselves and loved ones.