When case positivity rates are higher than 5%, it means not enough tests are being conducted to catch asymptomatic carriers, who could potentially spread the virus in a community.

Georgia has also been plagued by long delays at specimen collection sites and in laboratories conducting the tests. Schmidtke said there is a nationwide shortage of the chemicals used in the test kits, which is leading to people waiting two to three weeks for their test results.

Its rough, Schmidtke said.

What it is:The percent increase in confirmed cases over a 14-day time period.

Why its important:The percent increase provides a clearer picture of the viruss recent history of transmission.

Forsyth County:36.9%, as of Thursday, July 30.

When combined with Forsyth Countys case rate of 189 per 100,000 residents, Schmidtke said the county is in relatively good shape right now when compared to counties across Georgia.

For instance, Evans County, in southeast Georgia, has seen a 180% increase over the last two weeks.

And heres how Forsyth Countys case rate, as of Thursday, compares to bordering counties:

Hall -- 536.5

Gwinnett -- 418.6

Fulton -- 417.4

Cherokee -- 267.4

Dawson -- 266.5

Forsyth -- 189.3

Still, Schmidtke cautions Forsyth County residents from getting comfortable.

That is not to say that people should go out and have barbecues together, Schmidtke said. Please dont.

A lower case rate, closer to 20%, would help local hospitals maintain adequate capacity for COVID-19 patients and make the virus easier to track and contain, she said.

What it is:The rate of people currently in the hospital with COVID-19.

Why its important:Current hospitalization rate reveals the length of hospital stays for patients with COVID-19.

Forsyth County:Current hospitalizations are only reported on the state level, though some local hospitals are reporting their own data.

Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Medical Center reported that it had 176 confirmed patients with COVID-19 between its four hospitals and long-term care facility on Friday, July 31, including 107 at its Gainesville location, while 81 patients were still awaiting test results.

Just across the border in Fulton County, Emory Johns Creek hospital updates a graph showing current COVID-19 hospitalizations, along with the number of patients discharged after recovering from the disease.

Northside Hospital Forsyth has declined repeated requests by the Forsyth County News to provide information about its COVID-19 numbers; Northside officials say doing so might discourage residents with other health complications from seeking help.

Schmidtke said its helpful for hospitals to be transparent about their COVID-19 patient burden. Regular communication from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, in Albany, the area of one of Georgias earliest COVID-19 hotspots, helped that community understand the seriousness of the pandemic and adjust its behavior. It is now considered a relatively cold spot, Schmitke said.

There are times when a hospital shouldnt be transparent, Schmidtke said, particularly if doing so would violate HIPAA privacy laws.

I think there are ways to [be transparent], Schmidtke said, to communicate to the public what the burden is for your community but also reassure them that we are here we dont want anybody to suffer at home through something that a hospital could help with.

What it is:The rate of new hospital admissions due to COVID-19.

Why its important:New hospitalization rate hints at the potential strain on hospitals from an influx of patients.

Forsyth County:The DPH has been reporting cumulative hospitalizations by county since April 27, making it possible to track the rate of new hospital admissions.

Forsyth County saw a 31.2% increase in hospitalizations, as of Thursday, July 30, over the past 14 days.

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What do the numbers say about COVID-19 in Forsyth County? - Forsyth County News Online