Thomas County raises its hands — and shows its arms — in getting vaccines
Published 1:49 pm Saturday, February 20, 2021
As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic wears on and approaches its one-year mark, we have to say we’re proud of Thomas County.
According to the state Department of Public Health’s new online vaccine dashboard, Thomas County is one of the top, if not the leading, county in the state for getting vaccines. More people, per capita, here have gotten the vaccine than just about anywhere else in the Peach State.
It’s a great step in putting the brakes on the pandemic.
Since the vaccines began to be distributed to senior citizens here, Thomas County added 593 COVID-19 cases. It’s been just a little over a month.
In that same span before the vaccines began, there were 915 COVID-19 cases added, according to figures compiled by the state Department of Public Health.
In the two-week period ending as the initial vaccines for seniors began, there had been 481 new COVID-19 cases identified. In the two weeks ending Tuesday, there had been a total of 84 new cases recorded.
Since it began administering the vaccine just over a month ago, Archbold Medical Center has reported giving out more than 13,300 doses. Statewide, there have been more than 1.5 million vaccines administered. In Thomas County alone, the number of vaccines stands at more than 17,000. For Grady County, that number is getting closer to 2,500.
It’s clear the number of COVID-19 cases are trending in a much better direction. That doesn’t mean we, as a community and as a society on a much larger scale, are anywhere close to being out of the pandemic woods.
As the vaccines are given to the most vulnerable of our population, our senior citizens, first, when your time comes to get your arm ready for the shot, don’t flinch. Go ahead and do it.
In the meantime, continue to follow the guidelines: wear your mask, stay socially distant, and wash your hands with warm soap and water frequently.
And don’t forget to get your vaccine when it is available to you.