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Hall Co re-emerges as NE Ga COVID hotspot

It’s not the news anyone wants to hear as we roll into the holidays. Coronavirus infections are spiking all over the country. Georgia has not been immune to the hike.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) says emergency room visits for the virus in many north Georgia counties has jumped more than five percent. They say the most critical patients are sent to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NEGMC) in Gainesville where Dr. John Delzell says the amount of patients they’ve had to treat for the virus has gone up 50%.

“We’ve been full for several weeks now and not just in ICU. Today we are up to 126. So we have gone up quite a bit over the last two to three weeks,” said Delzell.

Hall County recently launched a “Hall In” public safety campaign urging residents to wear masks and social distance while out in public to try keeping the virus from raging during the holidays.

Both the county and the hospital are urging everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones as we approach Thanksgiving.

Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke to Lindsey Gillum who said her father is infected.

“My dad has it right now. I think he’s getting better,” said Gillum.

Gillum told Regan she wasn’t taking any chances with the virus this Thanksgiving.

“This year, I think I’m going to keep it me and my twin,” Gillum said.

Randy Armstrong told Regan his son is an ER doctor who works in the COVID ward at NEGMC. His son has told him hospital workers get discouraged when they see people not taking the virus seriously.

“They walk through town and don’t see people protecting themselves,” said Armstrong.

Venecia Cash told Regan she’s planning a small and safe Thanksgiving too.

“Are you going to social distance and wear a mask?” asked Regan.

“Yeah, we can wear masks you know,” said Cash.

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