CAIRO — Grady County health officials say a recent spike in local cases of COVID-19 can be attributed to increased testing capabilities.

Health Department Director Michelle Thornton said the more than two dozen new cases of COVID-19 the Southwest Georgia Public Health District has recorded since last Friday are likely due to more county residents being tested for the virus. Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Phillips made the same assertion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Grady County Board of Commissioners.

Nearly 700 individuals were tested for the virus between June 2, the first testing date of that month, and July 8, Thornton said. During that time, positive cases of COVID-19 in Grady County grew from 117 to more than 200, with 33 cases being identified last week alone. Another 30 new cases have been confirmed since then as of Thursday afternoon, per the Southwest Georgia Public Health District.

Even with the rise in cases, health officials say there are currently no county residents who are hospitalized due to the virus, and no deaths have been attributed to the virus since May. Thornton also noted that some county residents have been tested outside the Health Department’s system either in other counties, at Grady General Hospital or other testing sites.

County Administrator Buddy Johnson said he and the Grady County Board of Commissioners will continue to urge residents to comply with state health guidelines, but the chances of actually issuing requirements for face coverings in public buildings like the City of Cairo did earlier this week remain low.

“That’s subject to change, mind you,” the county administrator said, “but at this point, no.”

In the mean time, county officials will continue to “highly encourage” residents to wear masks and maintain social distance while in public, Johnson said.

At least one county employee has tested positive for the virus after displaying symptoms, and Commissioner LaFaye Copeland said at Tuesday’s meeting that the commissioners should “lead by example” by wearing masks and social distancing during public meetings. Johnson echoed the response of Commission Chair Keith Moye in saying that wearing a mask is “a choice at this point.”

Masks are also available in the Grady County Courthouse for meeting spectators to wear if they desire, Johnson said.

Specimen collection tests will be conducted at the Grady County Health Department every Wednesday and Friday this month from 8 a.m. to noon. Testing on Friday, July 19 will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon.

Appointments for specimen collection tests can be made 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 also can 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.