Decatur, GA– DeKalb County will activate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning system to alert residents and visitors to the “looming threat” posed by the increasing number of COVID infections -19 in the county and state, according to a press release.
“We are following an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in DeKalb and throughout the state of Georgia,” said DeKalb County Executive Director Michael Thurmond. “Extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure that our residents and visitors are aware of the impending threat and, most importantly, how to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus.”
According to the state Department of Public Health, as of July 1, there have been 5,959 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in DeKalb County and 173 related deaths. Yesterday there were 5,841 cases and 173 related deaths.
Officials are particularly concerned about the possibility of tens of thousands of people gathering across the county for the July 4 celebrations, according to the press release. Large crowds are expected at Stone Mountain State Park, Georgia’s most popular tourist destination.
The county will send emails and voice messages to 566,000 subscribers to the county’s CodeRED emergency notification system. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will also transmit a geocoded text message to all residents, visitors and travelers at the county boundary at the time of the alert, the press release says.
Using IPAWS geocoding technology, visitors to nearby Stone Mountain Park will receive COVID-19 alerts and messages throughout the holiday weekend, according to the press release. According to DeKalb statistics from the Georgia Department of Public Health, DeKalb has recorded the third highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state (5,841) and 173 deaths.
DeKalb County will urge residents and visitors to protect themselves and others by:
– Wear a mask when you go out in public;
– Practicing social distancing;
– Stay home when possible; and
– Wash or disinfect your hands frequently.
Residents are urged to be tested if they experience cold or flu symptoms, or if they believe they may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. To view test locations and other COVID-19 related information, go to www.dekalbcountyga.gov/coronavirus . To subscribe to CodeRED, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dema/codered
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