COVID-19 State Of Emergency, Mask Mandate Issued In Cobb Again

COBB COUNTY, GA — After consulting with public health officials about the "dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases" due to the delta and omicron variants of the novel coronavirus, Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid signed another declaration of emergency for the county Wednesday night — and a mask mandate has been re-implemented in county government buildings.

Cupid first declared a state of emergency in August, and extended it twice: once in September and once in October. At the same time, County Manager Jackie McMorris implemented a mask mandate in all county government buildings.

Both leaders allowed the orders to expire in mid-November as COVID-19 cases declined, but the omicron variant of the coronavirus has raised red flags for public health officials in the county and across Georgia.

Declaring and signing a state of emergency activates the county's Emergency Operations Plan, which allows resources to be directed to local hospitals, state agencies or others that may have a critical need for equipment and supplies, according to county officials. It also allows the county to hold all or portions of public meetings virtually.

In Cobb County, there have been 250 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents between Dec. 4 and Dec. 17, according to Cobb & Douglas Public Health data. More than 100 cases per 100,000 residents is considered high community transmission.

In terms of COVID-19 vaccinations, 63 percent of Cobb County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 58 percent are fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, Georgia Department of Public Health data shows. A total of 31 percent of fully-vaccinated Cobb residents have received an additional (or booster) dose of the vaccine.

“Public Health officials warn me this variant is spreading at an alarming rate,” Cupid said in a news release. “The stress on our hospitals is increasing, and both public and private COVID testing facilities are overwhelmed. Even though this is just prior to Christmas, I wanted to act quickly to help slow the spread of this new variant in our community.”

The declaration of emergency also urges residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or boosted, wear masks indoors with others and avoid crowded situations.

McMorris re-implemented a mask mandate Wednesday night, concurrent with Cupid's declaration of emergency.

“Much like the community, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases within the Cobb government family,” McMorris said. “Requiring the wearing of masks and increasing social distancing in our facilities will hopefully help protect both our employees and the residents that they serve.”

The policy will require masks to be worn while inside all Cobb government buildings including libraries, indoor parks facilities and senior centers. This policy does NOT affect:

• Privately-run businesses in the county.
• The Cobb County School District which is governed by the Board of Education.
• The Cobb County court complex, which has been under its own mask mandate by judicial order.

The declaration of emergency and mask mandate will run through Jan. 22, 2022 unless extended, amended or rescinded.

Related:

• Omicron Soon To Be Dominant Coronavirus Variant: GA Officials
• Mask Mandate, COVID State Of Emergency To Expire In Cobb County
• Mask Mandate To Return In Cobb County Public Buildings
• COVID-19 State Of Emergency Declared In Cobb County
• Cobb Extends COVID-19 State Of Emergency
• COVID-19 State Of Emergency Extended In Cobb For 2nd Time