Data shows steady increase this week in confirmed Georgia COVID-19 cases

Officials warn to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing

COVID-19 cases across the state of Georgia are up, but doctors say it's not all just from more testing. Meanwhile, officials are urging residents to be safe, wear a mask, and continue to practice social distancing.

ATLANTA - Confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of Georgia have been on a steady increase all week after seeing a spike over the weekend, data shows.

Across the state, new confirmed coronavirus cases continued an upward trend this week, averaging about 1,700 new cases per day. Thursday afternoon saw an increase of 1,714 within a 24-hour period, according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The total confirmed cases was at 71,095 since the start of the pandemic.

Total deaths were 2,745, an increase of 47 over Wednesday’s reported numbers. Hospitalizations increased by 144 to 10,457 current patients.

As of Thursday, Gwinnett County leads the state in the number of confirmed cases with 7,223 and Fulton County has seen the most deaths from the pandemic with 309.

Testing also jumped overnight by 17,540, but doctors say testing alone is not the reason the state is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

"It’s not only volume of testing contributing to our numbers," Dr. Danny Branstetter, a medical director of infection prevention with Wellstar said. "The percent positive is also increasing, leading to evidence that we are experiencing the increased ongoing spread of this virus in our community."

Dr. Branstetter told FOX 5's Alex Whittler residents of more rural communities should not be fooled by high numbers in highly populated areas. He said the rate of COVID-19 cases may actually be higher.

According to the Georgia DPH, Echols and Chattahoochee counties top that list, but fortunately, neither county has experienced any deaths from the disease.