COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia’s COVID-19 numbers spiked with 8,630 new cases Thursday, the highest single-day total since early September according to the Georgia Department of Health.

The 7-day-average of daily cases is now 4,027, nearly double what it was just one week ago. The positivity rate among those getting tested also hit 20% Tuesday.

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Several communities are taking new action because of the spike in cases.

DeKalb County issued a rare Code Red Emergency Alert on Thursday. The text was sent to 566,000 residents warning them of the sudden rise in cases.

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DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said, “We want everyone to have a safe and healthy holiday, but we must be vigilant because of the surge in cases fueled by the COVID-19 omicron variant.”

Cobb County Commission Chair Lisa Cupid signed an emergency declaration. Cupid said the rate of cases in Cobb County spiked five times above what is considered a “high” rate of transmission.

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

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

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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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