Cobb Reporter

On Dec. 22, Cobb County officially issued a declaration of emergency requiring masks to be worn by everyone in all county-owned buildings in response to surging numbers of COVID-19 cases in the region.

FOX 5 News reports that the declaration requires that visitors to county buildings wear masks and also allows the county to implement its Emergency Operations Plan and hold all or portions of public meetings virtually. 

"Public Health officials warn me this variant is spreading at an alarming rate," Chairwoman Cupid told Fox News. "The stress on our hospitals is increasing, and both public and private COVID testing facilities are overwhelmed."

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, COVID-19 cases in Cobb County have risen 200% for the last seven days as of Dec. 22. The county's rate of fully vaccinated individuals is at 44.5%, well below the state average of 54%.

"Much like the community, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases within the Cobb government family," County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris said, according to FOX 5 News. "Requiring the wearing of masks and increasing social distancing in our facilities will hopefully help protect both our employees and the residents that they serve."

The City of Atlanta also recently reinstated a mask mandate.