The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and hospitals around the state are asking people to not use emergency rooms to test for COVID-19 unless you are showing severe symptoms that require urgent medical attention.

DPH asks that asymptomatic individuals or those with mild symptoms find testing elsewhere.

This comes after an extremely rapid rise in cases pushed statewide totals on Tuesday beyond peaks previously set in January.

The need for testing comes as a result of the holiday gathering surge. That has led the 7-day moving average of daily confirmed COVID cases statewide is at its highest point ever at more than 8,300, according to DPH.

The state recorded nearly 14,000 positive tests in its report released Tuesday, a combination of molecular PCR tests and rapid antigen tests.

The seven-day average of positive tests in Georgia rose to nearly 10,000.

COVID vaccination is available statewide and DPH calls it the best tool for ending this pandemic and reducing the overwhelming strain on the healthcare system and healthcare providers.