CAIRO — The rate of spread of the novel coronavirus is continuing to slow in Grady County, though two individuals succumbed to the virus this week.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says two county residents died last Saturday due to complications from the virus, bringing the county’s death toll to 25. Two individuals were also hospitalized with the virus this week.

Twelve individuals were diagnosed with the virus this week, bringing the county’s running total up to 846.

The dozen new cases recorded in the past seven days marks the second consecutive week that less than 20 instances of the virus were detected. The continued lowered rates of the virus were reflected in data released earlier this week by the Grady County School System, which reported zero positive cases Tuesday for the first time this academic year. Fourteen students and one employee were in quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus.

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. with the exception of Friday, October 30. Additional testing will take place Saturday, October 31.

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 www.covid19.dph.ga.gov and select “Take the Screening Questionnaire” to begin the application process.

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