Spread of COVID-19 continues to slow in Stephens County

The spread of COVID-19 continues to slow in Stephens County.

According to the Department of Public Health, there have been 4,415 total cases of COVID-19 in Stephens County, since the start of the pandemic, an increase of 27 since WNEG’s report earlier this week.

The DPH is reporting 96 confirmed COVID-related deaths in Stephens County, the same as WNEG’s report on Monday.

In the last two weeks, ending October 12, the DPH reports a total of 145 new cases in Stephens County.

For surrounding counties, Habersham County has 163 new cases in the last 2 weeks, Rabun County has 57, Banks County has 57, Franklin County 83, and Hart County has 48 new cases.

In Georgia, the DPH is reporting 1,246,100 total cases, an increase of 5,459 since WNEG’s report on Monday. The DPH also reports an increase of 170 deaths since WNEG’s report earlier this week, bringing the total to 23,512 confirmed COVID-related deaths across the state of Georgia.

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

Additionally, anyone interested in receiving a COVID vaccine can do so at the Stephens County Health Department.

To schedule an appointment to receive the COVID vaccine call the Stephens County Health Department, located at 64 Boulevard, Suite 102, in Toccoa, at 706-282-4507.

In the interest of transparency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information regarding serious adverse effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine.

According to the CDC, anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is rare and has occurred in approximately 2 to 5 people per million vaccinated in the United States.

Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur after any vaccination. If this occurs, vaccination providers can effectively and immediately treat the reaction.

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccination is rare. As of September 29, 2021, more that 14.9 million doses of the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine has been given in the United States. CDC and FDA identified 47 confirmed reports of people who got the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine and later developed TTS.

To date, two confirmed cases of TTS following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna) have been reported after more than 376 million doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered in the United States.

CDC and FDA are monitoring reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in people who have received the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine. GBS is a rare disorder where the body’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent nerve damage. After more than 14.9 million J&J COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, there have been around 219 preliminary reports of GBS.

Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. As of September 29, 2021, 1,590 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among people ages 30 and younger who received a COVID-19 vaccine. Most cases have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer or Moderna), particularly in male adolescents and young adults. Through follow-up, including medical record review, CDC and FDA have confirmed 906 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis.

Reports of death after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. More than 396 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through October 4, 2021. During this time, 8,390 reports of death (0.0021%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine have been received; however, it is unclear whether the vaccine was the cause.

The CDC says reports of adverse events following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem.

A review of available clinical information, including death certificates, autopsy, and medical records, has not established a causal link to COVID-19 vaccines.