County may be heading in right direction after COVID wave

Screven County lost some members of its community because of COVID-19 while others continue to battle the coronavirus. However, indicators show the local numbers may be channeling in a better direction.

The confirmed deaths because of COVID-19 in Screven County are 24 and probably 15 other deaths. The hospitalizations are 86.

As of Sept. 9, PCR or polymerase chain reaction cases in the last two weeks are135. The antigen cases in the last two weeks are 201.

The total PCR since the pandemic began is 1,247 and the total of all the cases since the start of the pandemic is 1,658.

The positive rate is 30.4 percent while the goal is less than 5 percent.

As per the Centers for Disease Control website, the percentage eligible population in Screven County who are fully vaccinated is 34.8 percent.

Vaccinations are available at the Screven County Health Department on Tuesdays. 

Screven County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Mikki Saxon said the numbers “seem to be trending down so fingers crossed we are almost on the other side of the peak in cases.”  

Syl-View Rehabilitation and Memory Care Center is doing well with the rise in cases. All residents and staff who were eligible received their booster vaccine on Sept. 8. 

Saxon said she spoke with officials from the Screven County School System who acknowledged the return to face-to-face instruction has gone well.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Thompson said the school system has reported just one new positive test since the students came back after the Labor Day holiday. Thompson said currently four staff members are out because of COVID-19.

“At the current time, we have enhanced mitigation with masks and we have changed some procedures,” Thompson told school board members at the board’s monthly meeting Monday.

Thompson applauded the teachers, food service and all the staff for their efforts during the digital learning in the school shutdown.