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The Hartwell Sun
COVID-19 case numbers and deaths continued to increase in Hart County this week.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 31, Hart County had 140 active cases, or cases within the last two weeks, according to the Georgia Department of Health. The figure per 100,000 rose to 536.
DPH also reported two confirmed deaths over the past week, bringing Hart County’s confirmed death total to 41, with 18 additional deaths listed as probable. Hart County has had a total of 143 hospitalizations.
The department reported a 19.6 percent positivity rate among the PCR tests.
Neighboring counties Franklin and Madison have a higher number of active cases at 209 and 379 respectively, while Elbert County has 108 active cases, but more cases per 100,000 at 570.
In total, Georgia has 90,570 active cases and has listed 19,680 confirmed deaths.Vaccination rates in Hart County have also risen, with 8,417, or 33 percent of the population, fully vaccinated as of Aug. 31. A large number of people have received their first dose and have yet to take their second with 9,611, or 37 percent, having received one dose.
This increase in recent vaccinations is reflected on the state level with 43 percent being fully vaccinated and 51 percent with at least one dose.
Vaccines are free and available at most pharmacies and doctor’s offices.