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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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC