Georgia Department of Health reports fourth COVID-19 case in Fannin

  • COVID-19 Update
    COVID-19 Update

The Georgia Department of Health has reported four cases of COVID-19 and no virus related deaths in Fannin County as of Tuesday, March 31 at noon.

According to the department, there are 3,817 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide.

They define a confirmed case as a person who has tested positive for 2019 novel coronavirus.

58% of these cases are people ages 18-59, 35% are people ages 60+, 1% are 17 and under and the remainder is listed as unknown.

Of these statewide cases, there are 818 people currently hospitalized, and the state has reported 108 deaths as a result of the virus at this time.

The departments reports that 16,181 tests have been administered across the state. 14,260 of these were tested in a commercial lab, while 1,921 were tested in the Georgia Public Health Lab.

Information regarding individual cases in Fannin County cannot be released because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), according to North Georgia Health District Public Information Officer Jennifer King.

"HIPAA prevents us from addressing any specific cases, but considering the new coronavirus is now spreading in Georgia, we should all assume we could come into contact with COVID-19 or someone who is infected with the virus anywhere at anytime," she said. "The good news is there is much each of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors from COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus in our communities."

King provided the following guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus:

  • Avoid large gatherings of more than 10 people;
  • Maintain social distancing by keeping 6 feet away from others;
  • Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub;
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, but use a disposable tissue;
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze;
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill;
  • If you have mild or minor symptoms, don’t go to the doctor, but stay home and treat your symptoms;
  • Self-isolate at home from others in the household while ill; and,
  • If symptoms worsen, such as difficulty breathing, then call a doctor, who will give further instruction, based on your condition.