Cobb County declares emergency as COVID-19 cases surge over omicron variant

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County manager Lisa Cupid has declared an emergency in that county over the dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases.

The declaration will allow that county to implement its emergency operation plan that includes holding all or portions of public meetings virtually and encourages Cobb County residents to take precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19.

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“Public Health officials warn me this variant is spreading at an alarming rate,” Cupid said. “The stress on our hospitals is increasing, and both public and private COVID testing facilities are overwhelmed. Even though this is just prior to Christmas, I wanted to act quickly to help slow the spread of this new variant in our community.”

The policy will require masks to be worn while inside Cobb County government buildings including libraries, indoor park facilities and senior centers.

The policy does not affect:

• Privately-run businesses in the county.
• The Cobb County School District, which is governed by the Board of Education.
• The Cobb County court complex, which has been under its own mask mandate by judicial order.
• Chairwoman Cupid had initially signed a Declaration of Emergency over the spread of COVID-19 in Cobb County in August and signed two extensions that kept the declaration in place until mid-November.

The declaration will remain in effect through Jan. 22, 2022.

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