Covid 'still on our radar,' says Voccio, citing a dozen recent virus deaths in the past month. Prime target: Those over 60

While there’s been “a significant reduction in our number of covid cases” in the past year, the pandemic is especially focused on older residents, he says.

Voccio said 19% of the current local cases involve those over 60 but that age group represents almost half of all those hospitalized for covid in Northwest Georgia.

He again urged area residents to get vaccinated — less than 50% have done so — as well as the latest boosters.

The state health department’s weekly report, posted Wednesday afternoon, shows how cases are dropping across Northwest Georgia.

For the seven days ending Wednesday afternoon, 98 new cases were reported together from Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties. That’s down from 134 the previous week. The breakdown:

♦ Floyd: 35 new cases vs. 64 for the week ending March 1.

♦ Bartow: 38 cases, up from 35.

♦ Gordon: 7 new cases vs. 19.

♦ Polk: 12 cases, one more than last week.

♦ Chattooga: 6 cases, also up by one case.

Statewide: 2,306 new cases were reported, down from 3,017 through March 1. Another 49 people died statewide vs. 69 a week earlier.

That total includes one fatality from Gordon County, the 260th covid victim there since March 2020. Floyd recorded another probable death as well last week.

Get tested: The free covid test site at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.