For the fourth time in recent months, Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in the county due to rising COVID-19 cases.
The new order takes effect immediately and will continue through Jan. 22, 2022.
The emergency declaration allows the county to implement an emergency operations plan, hold public meetings virtually and encourage residents to take precautions.
Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris also has reinstated a mask mandate inside county buildings (but not outdoor facilities like parks).
“This is unlike any other surge we’ve ever had before,” Cupid said in a video message after signing the declaration.
The Omicron variant has prompted COVID-19 cases in Cobb to jump by more than 150 percent over the last week.
On Wednesday, Georgia Department of Public Health data showed a reported 636 new cases in Cobb, the single-highest figure since 966 cases were reported on Jan. 8 during a winter surge.
That’s according to “date of report” figures, many of which lag from previous days and weeks; the “date of onset” category operates on a two-week lag and as of Wednesday the preliminary estimate is 417 cases.
“The stress on our hospitals is increasing, and both public and private COVID testing facilities are overwhelmed,” Cupid said in a statement issued by the county.
“Even though this is just prior to Christmas, I wanted to act quickly to help slow the spread of this new variant in our community.”
Three previous month-long emergencies were declared by Cupid August, September and October, but the oncoming Omicron variant has pushed transmission rates, hospitalizations and other metrics over the last two weeks.
There is not a mandate in Cobb for masks regarding private-run businesses or other non-county entities.
The Cobb mandate also does not affect the Cobb County School District, which has a masks-optional policy and is on a holiday break until Jan. 6.
Cobb courts have been requiring masks under a separate judicial order from the Georgia Supreme Court.
Cobb and Douglas Public Health continues to offer free COVID-19 tests and vaccines. For information and to book appointments, please click here.
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