West Central Health District’s Covid-19 update
Latest case figures and current CDC approved prevention guidance
COLUMBUS, GA – The FDA amended the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow an additional dose to be administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems after an initial 2-dose series. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting today, Friday, August 13, 2021, to discuss a recommendation on additional doses for this population.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is awaiting guidance from the CDC that clearly defines what conditions make an individual eligible for an additional dose of vaccine. Once those conditions are known, DPH will establish statewide protocols for health departments administering additional doses of COVID vaccine. Until then, DPH will not administer third doses.
Georgia is now vaccinating all residents aged 12 and older. The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is the only vaccine approved for use in anyone 12 years of age and older. The Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for use in anyone 18 years of age and older.
District Vaccination Numbers
Fully Fully
County Vaccinated Percentage County Vaccinated Percentage
Chattahoochee 1,722 16 Quitman 691 30
Clay 1,443 49 Randolph 2,317 33
Crisp 7,562 33 Schley 1,330 25
Dooly 3,771 27 Stewart 1,691 27
Harris 12,122 36 Sumter 11,666 39
Macon 4,262 32 Talbot 2,393 38
Marion 2,541 30 Taylor 2,779 34
Muscogee 63,672 33 Webster 925 35
The number of fully residents vaccinated in our district is 120,887.
Vaccine/ Testing Registration
Visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com and click on the red bar at the top of the home page for vaccine or testing registration. For questions, or if you need assistance registering, please contact our COVID-19 Call Center at 706-653-6613. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is no charge for testing or vaccines at any health department location.
Vaccine Locations
All health departments are giving COVID-19 vaccines. Columbus Health Department is giving all brands of vaccines Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Appointments are preferred, but not required. Please visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com for other locations or visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
When to get tested for COVID-19:
If a person has been exposed (in close contact for more than total of 15 minutes) to someone who tested positive for Covid-19, but does not have symptoms, that person should remain in quarantine for 14 days, and wait at least 10 days to be tested. If a person is symptomatic, or symptoms begin before day 10, then that person should be tested at that time. Please note that even if your test results are negative, you still must remain in quarantine for the entire 14 days.
The cumulative number of reported cases in the West Central Health District is 31,971. The number of cases in the last two weeks is 1563. The number of deaths from the virus currently stands at 880.
Current CDC Prevention Guidance
Due to the number of new COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends that all persons, fully vaccinated or not, wear a mask in any public indoor location. Physical distancing is also recommended at this time, as well as these guidelines:
⦁ Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
⦁ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
⦁ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
⦁ Stay home when you are sick.
⦁ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
⦁ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
