Masks And Hand Sanitizer Will Be Passed Out In DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County has the second highest number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. There are more than 2,200 confirmed cases and at least 55 people there have died, as of Monday morning, according to a report by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Over the weekend, dozens of DeKalb County County Police and Fire Rescue cadets and trainees passed out masks along with hand sanitizers. They will be distributing the items over the next six weeks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

"The expiration of Governor Kemp’s statewide shelter-in-place order shifts the burden to local leaders who must redouble ongoing efforts to inform, educate and protect our residents,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond in a public statement.

On Saturday, the COVID-19 care packets were distributed, containing two disposable nonsurgical masks and a container of hand sanitizer, along with a card with tips on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the county, its initial efforts will focus on economically disadvantaged communities that the DeKalb County Board of Health has identified as experiencing the highest number of COVID-19 infections.

According to Board of Health data, despite the high number of cases, DeKalb County has the second lowest rate of death among those who have contracted the disease, in counties that have been most impacted by COVID-19.

On April 23, CEO Thurmond issued his third executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic in which he urged DeKalb residents to wear cloth face coverings at all times in public and continue to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.