Don’t let the summer COVID surge crash your plans. That’s Healthy Savannah’s message to adults this month as COVID infections are already on the rise in Georgia.
According to the CDC, Georgia is currently experiencing a likely growing trend in COVID-19 infections. Data shows test positivity was 4.8% in mid-July, up from 3.7% the previous week. This follows a national trend reported by CBS News in late July, that COVID-19 cases are rising in many states, including Georgia, as a summer wave appears to be starting.
In observance of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, Healthy Savannah, in partnership with the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, is highlighting the importance of taking precautions to avoid the COVID-19 surge this summer, and reminding the public that new adult vaccinations for COVID and flu will be available soon. The organizations are co-administrators of a five-year, $5.1 million Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to foster sustainable health equity among racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods in areas of nutrition, physical activity and the reduction of chronic diseases.
Healthy Savannah has also launched a new public service announcement with an important message that when COVID crashes the party, it’s no fun for anyone.
“This should be a time to experience family gatherings, church socials and sporting events and for college students to enjoy a new year at school instead of being isolated, sick at home or in the college dorm,” said Nichele Hoskins, Adult Immunization Program manager. “We want to remind everyone to brush up on COVID precautions like washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes. If you get sick, it’s still important to isolate so you don’t compromise the health of others.”
According to Johns Hopkins, fall and winter are known as the time when respiratory viruses surge. When COVID emerged in 2020, it joined flu and RSV as one of the common respiratory viruses that peak during the colder months. Since then, COVID has transitioned from pandemic to endemic, but has also maintained dual seasonality, peaking twice a year. COVID rates have risen every July and August since, due to a confluence of virological, behavioral, and environmental factors.
“While it’s important to update our adult immunizations in the fall to prepare for COVID and flu season, we also need to start anticipating the summer COVID spike,” said Hoskins. “As we wait for the new seasonal vaccines to come out, we should exercise good sense precautions to deter COVID from crashing into our late summer or back-to-college plans.”
Contact the Coastal Health District at (912) 356-2441 to learn when and how to find COVID and flu vaccines near you. Some low-cost or no-cost options may be available.
“It’s important to remember that COVID-19 remains a public health concern,” said Hoskins. “It’s essential to stay up-to-date on recommendations from reliable sources like the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.”
For more information, visit healthysavannah.org and to view Healthy Savannah’s “Avoid the COVID Crasher” PSA, visit online here: https://youtu.be/HP5wrzaqUDQ
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA / HEALTHY SAVANNAH REACH GRANT: In September 2023, the CDC awarded a second five-year, $5.1 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. The funding supports sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding, and chronic disease prevention. Working with over 200 community partners, the Savannah/Chatham County team is advancing these goals through an “upstream” approach. Healthy Savannah was honored with the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. healthysavannah.org | ymcaofcoastalga.org