HENRY COUNTY, Georgia – The spread of COVID-19 in Georgia in the community is now considered significant as cases increase rapidly across the state, according to a new federal report.
The latest report from the White House COVID-19 Task Force shows that cases have increased 88% since last week, while hospital admissions rate has increased 54% and death rate has increased 81%.
Martin Daniel, 53, and wife Trina Daniel, 49, are two of the deaths in Georgia from COVID-19 this year. They were married for 22 years and, according to their family, died on the same day, July 6, within three hours in Savannah. They now look after and collect money for the couple’s 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter, who lost both parents shortly before the start of the school year.
“They weren’t with us in a matter of days,” said Melanie Daniel, a family member from their Henry County home.
Martin Daniel was a graduate of Tuskegee University, according to his family. The government’s syphilis experiments on black men in the 1930s influenced his and his wife’s decision not to be vaccinated.
“Just to combine these two events and understand the historical context of what is going on,” said Cornelius Daniel, his nephew, “it really burdens me at times.”
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He says the dark chapter in American history also made him hesitant at first until he and his wife got vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.
“We really need to understand the importance of vaccinations,” he said.
Since July 5, there has been a 505% increase in confirmed cases reported per day, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
In addition, the number of people who get vaccinated each day has decreased by 39% over the same period.
“We suffered a lot of losses just because we decided whether or not to be vaccinated,” said Melanie Daniel.
© 2021 Cox Media Group
