Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid on Thursday extended the county’s state of emergency through mid-February, saying that the county’s hospitals remain overwhelmed by the rapid spread of COVID’s omicron variant.

The order keeps the county’s emergency operations plan in effect, and allows public meetings to continue to be held online.

“The current surge caused by the omicron variant continues to have serious impacts on our local hospitals,” Cupid said. “Cases remain well above high community spread, and until we get those numbers down we need to encourage residents to take precautions; to continue wearing masks, watching their distance, and washing their hands.”

In a news release announcing the extension, County Manager Jackie McMorris said the mask requirements and social distancing guidelines will expire at the end of January, unless circumstances warrant keeping them in place longer.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com