Vaccination More Urgent Than Ever

COVID-19 Cases Increase and Delta Variant Spreads in Georgia

ATLANTA – If you were waiting for the right time to get vaccinated, that time is now! The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to get vaccinated as the number of new COVID-19 cases increases daily and the Delta variant spreads.

The COVID case rate in Georgia has increased 204% over the last 14-day period. Yesterday new cases totaled 4,612 – the highest daily number since mid-February. Hospitalizations have increased by about 50% in the last 14 days, and deaths have increased by about 18% in the same period. Vaccination has stalled statewide and only 40% of Georgians are fully vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the Delta variant accounts for  78% of new COVID cases in Georgia, making vaccination more urgent than ever. The Delta variant spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another, compared with earlier strains. The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes are happening in places with low vaccination rates, and virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated.

“Unfortunately, we can expect COVID numbers to keep growing. People who are unvaccinated or skip their second dose of vaccine are targets for infection,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. High vaccination coverage will reduce spread of the virus in your community and elsewhere - and help prevent new variants from emerging.”

WIC Services Will Continue Both Days

Canton, GA - Cherokee County Health Department’s Canton Health Center on Univeter Road will be CLOSED Thursday, August 5^th and Friday, August 6^th while staff completes the move into their newly added building space. WIC services will NOT be affected by this closing and will continue to operate at the facility both days. All public health services at the Canton location will resume as normal on Monday, August 9^th at 7:30 AM. To learn about public health services provided in Cherokee County, refer to the North Georgia Health District website at https://nghd.org/nghd-locations-listing/category/cherokee.

TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 AND DELTA VARIANT                             

1. Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities.
   • Unvaccinated individuals should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.
   • With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates.
2. Data show Delta is different than past versions of the virus: it is much more contagious.
   • Some vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious.
   • Even so, vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of transmission occurring around the country.
   • Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated.
3. In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of Delta and protect others.
4. CDC recommends that community leaders encourage vaccination and masking to prevent further outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission.
5. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

Click to link to guidelinesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. This document provides current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The new guidelines include notable updates from the previous 2015 guidance, including:

• Updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Updated treatment recommendations for uncomplicated gonorrhea in neonates, children, and other specific clinical situations (e.g., proctitis, epididymitis, sexual assault), which builds on broader treatment changes published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report late last year.
• Information on FDA-cleared diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma genitalium and rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant patients.
• Recommended two-step serologic testing for diagnosing genital herpes simplex virus.
• Harmonized recommendations for human papillomavirus vaccination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
• Recommended universal hepatitis C testing in alignment with CDC’s 2020 hepatitis C testing recommendations.

STIs are common and costly to the nation’s health and economy. With 26 million new STIs occurring each year, totaling nearly $16 billion in medical costs, evidence-based prevention, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations are critical to halting continued increases.

The new recommendations come at a pivotal moment in our field’s history. As many of you know all too well, the COVID-19 pandemic caused decreased clinic capacity, as well as drug and diagnostic test kit shortages. Along the way, CDC provided guidance for the disruption of STD clinical services, focusing on syndromic management and STI screening approaches to maximize the number of people with STIs identified and treated, while prioritizing those most likely to experience complications. However, most drug and testing kit shortages have since resolved and many health care providers are returning to normal clinical practices, which includes conducting STI evaluation and management in accordance with CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.

WIC Services Will Continue. All Services Resume Thursday.

Cherokee County Health Department’s Canton Health Center on Univeter Road will CLOSE at 1 PM on Wednesday, July 21^st for building maintenance. WIC services will NOT be affected by this closing and will continue to operate at the facility all day. Public health services at the Canton location will resume as normal on Thursday, July 22^nd from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. To learn about all public health services provided in Cherokee County, go here on the North Georgia Health District website at  https://nghd.org/nghd-locations-listing/category/cherokee.

We are seeking employees to join our dedicated teams across North Georgia Health District 1-2, which is comprised of six counties, including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield!

Have you ever considered a career in Public Health?

Want to make a difference in your community?

Did you know that our mission is to promote and protect the health of the people in the North Georgia Health District, wherever they live, work and play, through population-based preventive programs?

Administrative, Child Health, Dental, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental, Infectious Disease, WIC Nutritional Services and Nurse Positions may be available in your area!

Click here to our Career Center to apply for open positions today!

Benefits offered to employees include:

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• State retirement plans
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave

Para leer este mensaje en Español, haga clic en 'Español' en la parte superior de esta página a la derecha

Since early 2020, each of us, our families and our communities have faced harrowing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, we have been deeply impacted in many ways that include everything from deprivation and financial loss to dire illnesses and even the death of loved ones. Fortunately, we are beginning to see signs of recovery from this pandemic; however, we still have a long way to go. Please take this survey to help us know how we, your local public health partners, can better support this recovery and help everyone get back to life-as-usual more quickly here in North Georgia. Thank you!

For English, please start the survey here:

Para Español, inicie la encuesta aquí:

One-Stop Spot for School State Health Requirements on Tuesday, July 27th!

Is your child ready for the upcoming school year? The Cherokee County Health Department is conducting a Back to School Rush Health Clinic on Tuesday, July 27th from 2 to 6 p.m. at public health department locations in both Canton and Woodstock. The required Hearing, Dental, Vision and BMI/Nutrition Screenings will be available: Total cost for screenings is $60. Also, immunizations will be provided for school-age children for $21.90 each (for uninsured or underinsured). Medicaid (including Amerigroup, CareSource, Peachstate and WellCare), Peachcare for Kids, HUMANA, AETNA, United Health Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ambetter, CIGNA and Coventry are accepted. The health department location in Canton is 1219 Univeter Road and the location in Woodstock is 7545 North Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 345-7371 in Canton or (770) 928-0133 in Woodstock. (Click on Poster and Flyer below to download and share)

Come get your delicious fresh fruits and vegetables this summer at several DRIVE-THRU Farmers Markets presented by North Georgia's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.

Affordably priced and locally grown, these fresh fruits and vegetables can be prepared and served in a variety of scrumptious ways to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals, treats and snacks this summer... and beyond!

Participating farmers are from Brown’s Produce of Tunnel Hill and R & A Orchards of Ellijay.

The Drive-Thru Farmers Markets will be held this summer at the following dates and locations from 8 AM to 12 PM or for as long as produce lasts (just added site is in red):