Ahead of holidays, DeKalb sends COVID-19 alert to residents, visitors

DeKalb County was texting and emailing more than half a million people Thursday, warning them about the omicron variant and encouraging them to stay safe during the holidays.

The county said it was activating the CodeRED emergency notification system to send the alert to 566,000 local subscribers. It also planned to use geolocation services to send the message to visitors and commuters in the county.

“We want everyone to have a safe and healthy holiday, but we must be vigilant because of the surge in cases fueled by the COVID-19 omicron variant,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said in a news release.

ExploreDeKalb health department opening 1 COVID testing site on Thursday

Thursday marked the fourth time DeKalb has used the notification system to send messages to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials said the new message would encourage recipients to get vaccinated; get tested if they have cold-like symptoms or believe they’ve been in contact with someone with COVID-19; wear masks in public places, practice social distancing; and avoid large gatherings.

About the Author

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

A Wednesday blaze at South River Art Studios ravaged one of three warehouses on the property where about 35 artists create and store all their supplies.

1h ago

$980M Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Newnan

The player matched all six numbers during a Friday evening drawing and won a jackpot worth an estimated $980 million. It has an estimated cash value of $452.2 million.

Food distributions continue as SNAP delays linger

As the nation begins to recover from the government shutdown, leaders and advocates in Georgia are trying to fill the gaps left by the pause in federal services.

The Latest

Credit: Natrice Miller

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

1h ago

Food distributions continue as SNAP delays linger

$980M Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Newnan

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.