Just 10 days after it surpassed 14,000 coronavirus deaths, Georgia set another somber milestone in its battle against the global pandemic.
On Friday, Georgia’s COVID death toll reached 15,007, according to the latest numbers reported by the state Department of Public Health.
On Thursday, that number stood at 14,989, with the state having recorded 107 new deaths over the previous 24 hours. On Friday, 18 more deaths were recorded. Overall, Georgia has recorded 814,820 confirmed COVID cases, with 2,265 new cases reported overnight.
Georgia surpassed 14,000 coronavirus deaths Feb. 16, while the nation surpassed 500,000 coronavirus deaths Feb. 22.
Friday’s newly counted death toll coincided with news from neighboring South Carolina, where Gov. Henry McMaster announced he is lifting the state’s prohibitions on alcohol sales and large gatherings that were implemented to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Globally, according to Johns Hopkins, more than 113 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported since the pandemic began almost a year ago, claiming 2.5 million lives. The U.S. continues to lead the rest of the world in cases — 28.4 million — and deaths, with more than 509,000.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his swearing-in. The moment came ahead of a meeting with the nation’s governors on plans to speed the distribution even further.
“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.
“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”
All told, more than 45 million Americans have been administered at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received emergency-use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.
As part of the ceremony, four front-line workers — a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store worker — received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program.
Biden predicted that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone who wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it. “We’ll have the vaccine waiting,” Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.
He promised a “massive campaign to educate people” about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in hopes of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.
Biden said he planned to tour a U.S. military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.
Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving emergency-use authorization as soon as this weekend, as Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.
“We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson & Johnson can make it,” Biden said.
Meeting with governors, Biden appealed for their help in passing his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.
“The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself,” Biden said.
Biden also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalizations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.
“This is not the time to relax,” he said.
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