After a surge in COVID-19 cases earlier this year, the number of Chattooga County residents getting vaccinated rose, but since then the numbers have seen very little change.

Last week, the Georgia Department of Public Health said that public health officials fear an increase in COVID cases following holiday celebrations and family get together’s where people are in close proximity to each other.   Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the 10-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest District that includes Chattooga County said,   “I don’t know how big, how broad, or how long it will last, but I certainly anticipate a spike.”

Region-wide the vaccination rate is about 40% in the Northwest Georgia Public Health District.

The latest numbers show that Chattooga County has a fully-vaccinated rate of 28.69%, with 31.37% of the population having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Those numbers are below neighboring Floyd County where the vaccination rate is just over 33%, but better than neighboring Walker County where only 25% of the population is fully vaccinated and 28% having received one dose.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says the best way to protect yourself and your family during the holidays is to get vaccinated.