Subject: 3/7/22 Press Release COVID-19 Update
TheCDC has updated its recommendations for wearing masks indoors, based on whetherthe spread of the virus is at a low, medium or a high level in your community.Masks are only recommended to be worn for communities with high spread of thevirus. Those who are at high risk for severe illness and in a medium spreadcommunity, should talk to their healthcare provider about the need for wearinga mask indoors. Masks are not recommended for use outdoors. The Georgia DPHwebsite has an interactive state map which can be used to show levels ofcommunity spread of the virus. To view the map, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report. Choosing “PCR Cases”for the “Last 2 Weeks,” will show gray and yellow colors, which are indicativeof low and medium spread, and red which reflects a high level.
Covid-19case numbers continue to decrease throughout our district. Clay, Dooly, andRandolph counties reported no new cases. Ten other counties reported less than10 new cases each. Columbus reported only 35 new cases since last week. Tencounties reported no new deaths; a total of 15 were reported, down from 21 lastweek.
COVID-19Cases
Casesin Cases in
thelast the last
County Cases 2wks. Deaths County Cases 2 wks. Deaths
| Chattahoochee | 5,932 | 30 | 16 | Quitman | 230 | 2 | 3 |
| Clay | 353 | 0 | 6 | Randolph | 853 | 4 | 42 |
| Crisp | 2,546 | 7 | 70 | Schley | 521 | 2 | 8 |
| Dooly | 1,529 | 7 | 39 | Stewart | 2,020 | 261 | 32 |
| Harris | 5,120 | 16 | 97 | Sumter | 3,898 | 14 | 148 |
| Macon | 1,192 | 3 | 41 | Talbot | 937 | 0 | 30 |
| Marion | 954 | 2 | 42 | Taylor | 1,140 | 2 | 39 |
| Muscogee | 31,810 | 119 | 670 | Webster | 251 | 0 | 7 |
The cumulativenumber of reported cases in the West Central Health District is 59,286. Thenumber of cases in the last two weeks is 469, with Stewart County reporting thelargest increase. The death toll from the virus currently stands at1,290.
Drive-thru Testing is held at the ColumbusHealth Department lower parking lot, at 5601 Veterans Parkway. Days/hours areMonday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Pre-registration is notrequired at this location. Testing is also available at the Shirley B.Winston Recreation Center, 5025 Steam Mill Road, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Pre-registration for testing is stronglyencouraged at the Recreation Center; please visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com to register, and for daysand times at other health departments.
District Vaccination Numbers
Fully Fully
County Vaccinated Percentage County Vaccinated Percentage
| Chattahoochee | 2,269 | 21 | Quitman | 829 | 36 |
| Clay | 2,146 | 73 | Randolph | 3,362 | 48 |
| Crisp | 10,078 | 44 | Schley | 1,893 | 36 |
| Dooly | 5,179 | 38 | Stewart | 2,166 | 34 |
| Harris | 15,352 | 45 | Sumter | 15,828 | 53 |
| Macon | 5,842 | 44 | Talbot | 3,100 | 49 |
| Marion | 3,587 | 43 | Taylor | 3,762 | 46 |
| Muscogee | 83,233 | 43 | Webster | 1,206 | 46 |
Thenumber of residents fully vaccinated in our district is 159,832.
TheCDC has recommended that the wait time to receive a vaccine be eliminated foranyone who received monoclonal antibody treatment. They may proceed withvaccination at their earliest opportunity.
Booster Doses
Allthree COVID vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen – have been given EUA for boosterdoses for those 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine has been given EUA for boosterdoses for those 12 and older. For those who received the Pfizer or Modernavaccine, the booster shot should be at least five months after their initialseries. All those who received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, boostershots are recommended for those who received their initial dose two or moremonths ago.
Eligibleindividuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose, except forthose under 18; Pfizer is the only brand that has been given EUA for boostersfor this age group. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that theyoriginally received and others, may prefer to get a different brand. The CDC’srecommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for boostershots.
Additional Doses for those Moderately or SeverelyImmunocompromised
Thechart below shows dosing schedule for patients in these age groups. Thesepersons may bring documentation from their healthcare provider, or self-atteston the immunization consent form as to their health status.
| Primary Vaccine | Age | Number of Primary & Additional | Number of Boosters | Time between 1st & 2nd dose | Time between 2nd & 3rd dose | Time between 3rd & 4th dose |
| Pfizer- BioNTech | 5–11 years | 3 | N/A | 21 days | ≥28 days | N/A |
| Pfizer- BioNTech | ≥12 years | 3 | 1 | 21 days | ≥28 days | ≥3 months |
| Moderna | ≥18 years | 3 | 1 | 28 days | ≥ 28 days | >3 months | |
| Janssen/ J&J | ≥18 years | 1 Janssen, followed by 1 mRNA | 1 | ≥ 28 days | ≥2 months | N/A | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Vaccine Locations
The Columbus HealthDepartment is giving all brands of vaccines inside the clinic Monday throughFriday from 9:00am to 4:00 pm for those five years of age and older, at 5601 VeteransParkway. Appointments are preferred, but not required. Please visitwww.westcentralhealthdistrict.com to make an appointmentand for schedules at other district health departments. To find othervaccine locations, visit www.vaccines.gov.
CurrentCDC Prevention Guidance
The CDCrecommends that all persons stay up to date on their vaccines and get tested ifyou are having symptoms. Other guidelines to stay healthy include:
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
- Exercise, sunshine, and supplements can help boost immunity. Check with a health care provider.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
