COVID Numbers Declining in County On Other Side of Delta Variant Surge

Numbers are declining as to cases of COVID-19 in Effingham County, an indication that we might be on the other side of the Delta variant surge.

Effingham County Health Department's Catherine Bailey told members of the County Board's Health Committee Tuesday that there are 45 people who have tested positive and are currently in isolation. Bailey said there are another five to 10 individuals who are hospitalized due to COVID.

The number of those vaccinated against COVID continue to increase. Bailey said 29,890 doses of vaccine have been administered, and that 14,594 people are fully vaccinated, or 42.5%. Of those 65 and older, more than 83% are fully vaccinated, 45% of those ages 18 to 64 are fully vaccinated, and 21% of those ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated. She said indicates that 52% of all adults in the county are fully vaccinated.

Bailey said the county reached 100 confirmed COVID deaths last week since the pandemic began. 25 of those deaths occurred during the Delta variant surge that hit its peak from August through October. She noted that 18 of those 25 were non-vaccinated, while seven had been vaccinated. 

Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman reported that $197,000 additional grant funding has been received to extend vaccination clinics into 2022.