Public Safety Alert Sent Thursday In DeKalb County: Coronavirus

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A public safety alert went out Thursday morning by DeKalb County officials. The alert was in response to the “rapid” increase of COVID-19 cases across the county.

It advised residents to follow CDC guidelines like wearing a mask, social distancing and staying home, reported WXIA. They are also encouraged to get tested.

Georgia is under a Public Health State of Emergency, which Gov. Brian Kemp extended to August 11.

On Wednesday DeKalb County announced it would 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," said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond in a statement.

"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."