The first COVID-19 vaccinations in Athens were administered Friday to a local doctor and an Elberton nurse. Officials expected about 100 people would be vaccinated by the end of the day.
This first round of vaccinations occurred during a news conference at the Clarke County Health Department, where Dr. Stephen Goggins, interim director for the Northeast Health District, described a surge in COVID-19 cases in the 10-county district.
“Yesterday, this district recorded over 500 cases that were referred to our epidemiology group. That’s the largest number we’ve had since the beginning of the outbreak,” Goggins said. “While the vaccine is going to take us to the end, it will take time to do so that’s why we’ll have to ask everyone to please continue to stick the basics, especially as we face the holidays.”