Georgia’s positivity rate jumps to 13% as COVID-19 delta variant runs rampant across state

ATLANTA — As the delta variant of COVID-19 run rampant across parts of the country, including Georgia, the state reported that its positivity rate for the virus has jumped to 13% Tuesday.

That is just one of the reasons that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its guidance to say fully vaccinated people should resume wearing masks indoors in some areas, including schools, especially in COVID hot spots where cases are on the rise.

On Monday, the mayor of Savannah reinstated a mask mandate for that city because of the of the rise of COVID cases in that area.

Metro doctors say the reversal by the CDC might be frustrating and confusing to some of his patients.

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“I’m going to have to go back and explain to them ‘well, maybe you have to wear your mask again.’ That’s going to be very difficult to do and to be honest with you, I’m going to need more data from the CDC before I make that recommendation,” said family physician, Dr. Cecil Bennett.

Dr. Danny Branstetter, medical director of infectious disease and prevention at WellStar Health System believes more people traveling and gathering during the holiday week happened as fewer people were masking and the delta variant — which is highly transmissible — started spreading.

“Certainly, travel and mobility impacted the spread of the disease — also activities we typically associate with holiday celebrations. Fireworks displays, large gatherings, etc. — but also, we have been relaxing in mask mandates as well as usage,” Branstetter said.

Gov. Brian Kemp told Channel 2 Action News that he feels the best way to combat people who are hesitant about getting vaccinated against the virus is to talk to their doctor.

“There’s a lot of people that don’t trust what the government tells them sometimes so that’s why I’m urging people — don’t just believe me or someone else in the government, go talk to your doctor, sit down and understand why they think this is a good decision,” Kemp said.

With breakthrough cases, Branstetter said testing is still very important.

CDC to recommend masks indoors for some vaccinated people (NCD)

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