April 19, 2021
COVID-19 & Vaccination Update:
From the Desk of Mayor Mike Bodker
Let's Continue Our Progress, Johns Creek!

I am pleased to report that over the past 30 days Johns Creek has seen a small steady decline of the COVID-19 Incidence Rate which means our hard work and efforts have resulted in small but meaningful improvements to help stabilize the spread of the virus.
 
The data results over the past two weeks show a stabilization of new diagnosis which translates into an Incidence Rate level in Johns Creek of 81.3, which is near to where we were in mid-October of 2020. For the two week reporting period from 3/27 – 4/9, new case counts of COVID-19 in our city went unchanged as compared to the previous two weeks of 3/13 – 3/26. Over that same period, Johns Creek remained the lowest Incidence Rate of new diagnosis (81.3) in all of the North Fulton cities (Atlanta 130.3, Roswell 119.9, Sandy Springs 107.2 and Alpharetta 103.6).

Even with one of the lowest Incidence Rate of all of the 15 cities in Fulton County, we need to stay safe and continue to practice social distancing, avoiding anything but small gatherings, washing hands frequently, and wearing a mask when in public. We can do this!
  
Let’s support our community getting vaccinated.
 
Nearly one-quarter of all Fulton County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, just over half of the U.S. adult population has received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, an important milestone for a nation that has suffered the world’s highest death toll due to the pandemic. Lastly, about 84 million adults have been fully vaccinated, meaning they completed vaccine regimens requiring two doses or received a single-dose vaccine.
All Georgians age 16 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine. And there are a number of ways you and your family members can sign up to get the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines can protect you and your family. The vaccines are safe and offered at no charge.

To make an appointment, please visit the Georgia Department of Public Health vaccination information sitehttps://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/

This week, walk-up vaccines will be available at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Starting Sunday, April 18, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Community Vaccination Center will offer walk-up vaccinations daily without an appointment for first or second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Residents without an appointment should report to Gate 1 for on-site check-in. 

Hours of operation are for the next week:
  • Sunday, April 18, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday, April 19, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 20, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, April 23, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Residents in need of second doses must ensure that at least 21 days have passed since their initial appointments, and should bring their completed vaccination cards from their first dose appointments.
Thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now available at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This mega-site offers free parking and evening and weekend appointments. The site is fully ADA Access is available, including wheelchairs. Language translation is available, including American Sign Language. No Insurance? No problem. Simply state “no insurance” for that question on the appointment form. No ID is required when you arrive for your appointment.
With the exception of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, please do NOT report to any vaccine site without an appointment. No vaccines will be given without an appointment.

Residents over age 65 and those who do not have Internet access may call the 404-613-8150 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays for more information about the vaccine. Call volume is high at peak times. If you are not able to get through, please try again later.
 
All individuals who are in need of second dose appointments will be contacted directly to schedule those appointments.

VACCINE LOCATOR:
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is coordinating vaccine distributions to locations throughout Georgia. As part of this effort, the DPH has developed a "Vaccine Locator" tool where citizens can type in the name of a city or facility to see a filtered list of vaccination sites. For a specific look at vaccination sites in Johns Creek, please visit the city data hub at: https://datahub.johnscreekga.gov/pages/covid-vaccine 
 
For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 vaccine page: https://fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-vaccine
 
OTHER VACCINE PROVIDERS
In addition to Fulton County, private pharmacies and health providers also offer the COVID-19 vaccine. To view a list of other vaccine providers, please visit:  https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site
 
MORE QUESTIONS?
Call the Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 hotline at 404-613-8150. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays or the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at (888) 357-0169.
 
Even after receiving the vaccine, it is important to continue to wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands frequently.
Keep Up The Good Work!
Case counts in Johns Creek remained unchanged in the recent two week reporting period (3/27 to 4/9), when compared to the previous two weeks (3/13 to 3/26).
According to state and local health agencies and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,  in the Fulton County area cases have stayed about the same over the past week as have the number of hospitalized Covid patients. Other positive news show deaths have decreased. The test positivity rate in Fulton County is relatively low, suggesting that testing capacity is adequate for evaluating Covid-19 spread in the area.
In Johns Creek there were NO new diagnoses between the most recent 14 days (3/20 to 4/2) preceding the most recent 7 days and the 14 days preceding that (3/6 to 3/19).
While this past January was the worst month for cases in Fulton County, there was an average of 148 cases per day reported in Fulton County, about the same as the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 11 residents have been infected, a total of 94,683 reported cases. Below are the figures for the state of Georgia as reported on Monday, April 19, 2021.
TESTING INFORMATION: If you believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please take the initiative to get tested. You may schedule a free COVID-19 test regardless of symptoms at covid19.dph.ga.gov and for appointments by phone call 404-613-8150. However it is quicker to schedule an appointment online due to the volume of calls. Calls are accepted during these times: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Testing site locations, dates, and/or times are subject to change. For the latest information on testing, please visit: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-testing-sites
 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at

Please follow CDC guidelines and let’s CONTINUE to reduce our numbers.

Stay safe,
Mike Bodker
Mayor, City of Johns Creek