CAIRO — Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to climb in Grady County, though the rate of spread appears to have been slowed over the past several weeks.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported Friday that 736 cases of the virus have been diagnosed in Grady County — an increase of just 29 cases in the past seven days compared to last month when more than 70 cases were being added each week.

Though the number of diagnoses appears to be slowing, deaths are continuing to be attributed to the virus. DPH reports that three Grady County residents died of the virus this week, bringing the county’s total up to 21 deaths. Thirteen county residents have died of the virus in the past four weeks alone.

A total of 90 individuals have been hospitalized with the virus. Archbold Medical Center reported this week that eight individuals were treated for the virus at Grady General Hospital.

The Grady County Health Department will host free specimen collection tests every Tuesday and Friday this month from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Patients are encouraged to schedule appointments by calling 229-352-6567 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays. Patients can also visit covid19.dph.ga.gov and select “Take the Screening Questionnaire” to begin the application process.

Visit southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org to see the full testing schedule for all southwest Georgia counties.