COVID cases continue to rise in Stephens County

Stephens County continues to see the number of COVID cases among its residents increase.

According to the Department of Public Health, there have been 3,897 total cases of COVID-19 in Stephens County, since the start of the pandemic, an increase of 106 since WNEG’s report on Monday.

The DPH is reporting 80 confirmed COVID-related deaths in Stephens County.

In the last two weeks, ending September 14, the DPH reports a total of 360 new cases in Stephens County.

For surrounding counties, Habersham County has 536 new cases in the last 2 weeks, Rabun County has 137, Banks County has 195, Franklin County 214, and Hart County has 104 new cases.

In Georgia, the DPH is reporting 1,169,437 total cases, an increase of 24,553 since WNEG’s report on Monday. The DPH also reports an increase of 353 deaths since WNEG’s report on Monday, bringing the total to 20,806 confirmed COVID-related deaths across the state of Georgia.

To follow the daily COVID numbers visit dph.georgia.gov.

As a reminder, Stephens County Health Department continues to offer the COVID vaccine for residents.

Toccoa Mayor Evan Hellenga is encouraging the public to get the vaccine.

Hellenga said, during a recent Toccoa City Commission meeting, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus by getting the vaccine.

“Everyone that watches the news knows that the Coronavirus is very much back to life,” he said. “I can’t it enough, if you haven’t been vaccinated take that opportunity and do yourself and your family and friends a favor. We’ve got to get ahead of this thing.”

Anyone interested in receiving the COVID vaccine can do so at the Stephens County Health Department, located at 64 Boulevard, Suite 102, Toccoa.

To schedule an appointment to be vaccinated contact Stephens County Health Department by calling 706-282-4507.