2 Unvaccinated Workers From Georgia Daycare Die On Same Day Due To COVID-19

KEY POINTS

The women, who were unvaccinated, died Sunday
Another unvaccinated employee is in hospital
A fourth person, who is vaccinated, too contacted the virus, but he is doing well

Two employees of a daycare center in Georgia has died on the same day due to COVID-19. Both were unvaccinated. A third employee has been hospitalized after contracting the virus.

Manequeia Freeman and Leslia McClain died at their homes Sunday. They were working at the Sugar and Spice Child Care center in Statesboro, about 55 miles northwest of Savannah, authorities said Thursday, reported The State.

The incident came to light after officials visited one of the women's houses for a welfare check Monday. Bulloch County Coroner Jake Futch said the women had been dead at least a day by the time their bodies were discovered.

Authorities are yet to release the age and other details of the women. Both cases are being handled by Deputy Coroner Richard Pylant.

Another daycare employee, who was also unvaccinated, was hospitalized after contracting the virus. Though a total of four persons got infected with the virus at the facility, the fourth employee is recovering at home and is expected back to work. He has already received the coronavirus jab, Futch said Thursday.

Statesboro daycare owners believe the decision to give parents access to such facilities has put their workers and children at risk. The state relaxed an executive order restricting parents from visiting daycare centers a few weeks ago.

Bulloch County recorded 6,790 cases as of Thursday. However, only 20% to 29% of residents have been fully vaccinated.

The low vaccination rate in Statesboro city is a matter of concern for authorities who announced rewards for their citizens to get jabbed. The city council had agreed to authorize $10,000 for gift cards to lure citizens to get vaccinated. The decision was taken during a special meeting Tuesday morning.

A total of 69 people have died so far from COVID-19 in Bulloch County as the state sees a rapid rise in new cases. The state saw over 7,400 new COVID-19 cases and 90 deaths Thursday, according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Only 43% of Georgians are fully vaccinated against the virus, and 50% have received at least one dose.