Analysts say Georgia’s COVID-19 numbers are plateauing, to begin dropping

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta-based company that has tracked the COVID-19 numbers since the start of the pandemic said things are moving in the right direction in the state.

Analysts at IPC Global told Channel 2′s Wendy Corona that the virus has plateaued in Georgia, and they expect the numbers to next show a decline as seen in other parts of the country — as long as everyone keeps doing their part.

“At the state and most all of our counties, the numbers have leveled off and, in fact, are going down, which is great,” said Mark Meersman, managing partner at IPC Global.

Meersman said his team has tracked COVID-19 data since the start of the pandemic, providing critical information as school districts reopen, especially for those that offer in-person instruction.

“One of the things I found about every school district that’s opening — all of them are flat with regards to the additional new deaths per day,” Meersman said.

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That shows health systems appear to be in control.

On Thursday, Coweta, Floyd, Forsyth, Rome city and Walker County districts reopened virtually. All but Coweta offered an in-person option.

Meersman showed what they consider “red’ social vulnerabilities in Walker County, and some “yellow” ones to be aware of.

The Rome area shows differently. East Central Elementary is in red. It has the highest level of social vulnerabilities, plus others marked yellow.

Meersman is not discouraged, saying leaders need to educate the community.

“Simply, (it’s) education about how we are going to arrive at school, participate at school and even the activities there after school,” Meersman said.

All Forsyth County schools are in the green. And as for Coweta County, Meersman said the number is trending down. As of today, Coweta County averages about 20 new cases a day, down from an average of 48 on July 23.

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Cox Media Group