DeKalb tracking “alarming” surge in COVID-19 Infections

Officials concerned about large holiday crowds expected at Stone Mountain Park

DeKalb County will activate the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) warning system to alert residents and visitors to the “imminent threat” posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the county and state.

“We are tracking an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in DeKalb and across the state of Georgia,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “Extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure that our residents and visitors are aware of the imminent threat and, more importantly, how to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus.”

Officials are particularly concerned by the prospect that tens of thousands of people will be gathering throughout the county for Fourth of July celebrations. Especially large crowds are expected at Stone Mountain State Park, Georgia’s most popular tourist destination.

The county will send out email and voice messages to DeKalb’s 566,000 CodeRED emergency notification system subscribers. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will also transmit a geocoded text message to all residents, visitors and commuters in county’s boundary at the time of the alert.

By utilizing IPAWS geocoding technology, visitors in the vicinity of Stone Mountain Park will receive targeted COVID-19 alerts and messages throughout the holiday weekend.

According to Georgia Department of Public Health DeKalb statistics, DeKalb has recorded the state’s third highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases (5,841) and 173 deaths.

DeKalb County is urging residents and visitors to protect themselves and others by:

• Wearing a mask when going out in public
• Practicing social distancing
• Staying home when possible
• Washing or sanitizing their hands often

Residents are urged to get tested if they are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, or believe they may have come in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. For testing locations and other COVID-19-related information, go to  www.dekalbcountyga.gov/coronavirus.

To sign up for CodeRED, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dema/codered.