Covid cases ease, deaths were high this month

Published 6:42 pm Friday, January 29, 2021

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The rate of COVID-19 cases seems to be declining in Troup County, as the seven-day moving average dipped to 26.6 cases per day on Thursday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. That average peaked at more than 50 cases per day just two weeks prior.

Cases are still high, though. During September, October and November, the rate of cases fluctuated between five and 10 cases per day, per DPH data.

The positivity rate in Troup shows a similar story — it has declined but is still relatively high. The positivity rate over the past week has averaged 15.8 percent, about 1 percent higher than the statewide average. On Jan. 11, the average was at its highest since testing became widely available, at more than 27 percent. At its lowest, the positivity rate in Troup has hovered around 6 to 7 percent.

The slowing of cases reflects a similar trend seen on the state and national level as the post-holiday surge wears off and vaccinations continue to be administered. According to the New York Times, cases are down 28 percent in Georgia over the last two weeks. Nationwide, they are down 34 percent over that period.

While the case surge in Troup may have lessened, January has been the deadliest month in the county since August. Since the start of the New Year, 21 people have died from COVID-19 in Troup County, DPH data reports. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Troup is now 144.

There have been more than 5,000 confirmed cases in the county, though public health officials estimate that less than half of all cases are confirmed and reported.

Vaccine data is not available on a county level. According to the Times, about 0.9 percent of Georgians have received two shots, and about 6.5 percent have received one shot. About 1.45 million doses have been distributed to Georgia and about 810,300 have been administered.