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Kemp Confirms 2 Coronavirus Cases In Georgia
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Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday night the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Georgia. Both are located in Fulton County.
The individuals reside in the same household, and one of them, a man, recently returned from Italy.
Both have mild symptoms; they are isolated at home with other relatives to keep the illness from spreading, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Public Health said.
DPH is working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while the individuals were infectious. People who are identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by a DPH epidemiologist and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
“Georgians should remain calm,” Kemp said. “We were ready for today; we’ve been preparing for several weeks now."
MORE: Coronavirus Test Kits To Arrive In Georgia This Week, Officials Say
Kathleen Toomey, the state’s public health commissioner, said state officials heard about the cases only a few hours before calling the 10 p.m. press conference.
“We thought it was important that we come today and tell you about this, even as our epidemiologists are still investigating and trying to find potential contacts in the community,” she said.
Toomey said the man who traveled to Milan, Italy, contacted his doctor ahead of time and was tested for coronavirus. That test sample was then sent to the CDC, which confirmed the results late Monday evening.
“This was an astute member of the public who recognized the potential risks because of travel,” she said. “This was not person-to-person contact in the community that created this case, this was a travel-related case.”
MAP:Coronavirus in Georgia
President Donald Trump is slated to visit the CDC later this week for an update on Coronavirus.
COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 or individuals in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
Best Practices
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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.
The flu is still widespread and active throughout the state, so if you have not already gotten a flu shot, it is not too late. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will prevent serious complications that require hospitalization and prevent overburdening the health care system in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
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