Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The AGEG Board of Directors encourage all funeral service professionals to follow Federal and State orders, CDC guidance, and best practices. It is important to review guidance and information so you may continue to safely serve your families and community.

AGEG continues to monitor federal, state, and other agencies for new or revised information and guidance regarding COVID-19. While we do our best to post guidance and information in real time, the links will take you directly to the individual websites to ensure the most accurate and timely information is accessible.

COVID-19 Guidance and Information

AGEG members are updated by email and this page is updated as guidance and information becomes available.

For information and guidance, visit the links and drop down windows below.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

People with Certain Medical Conditions - October 14, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination - October 13, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination - October 13, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Operational Considerations for Personal Protective Equipment in the Context of Global Supply Shortages for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: non-US Healthcare Settings - October 12, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People - October 8, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot - October 7, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines - October 7, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccines and Severe Allergic Reactions - October 7, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Adults - October 6, 2021 - CLICK HERE
What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19 - October 5, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Quarantine and Isolation - October 4, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccines that Require 2 Shots - October 4, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Information About Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine - October 4, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Testing for COVID-19 - October 4, 2021 - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Underlying Medical Conditions - October 1, 2021 - CLICK HERE

Georgia Department of Public Health

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the DPH website.

Booster Dose of COVID Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) are recommending COVID vaccine booster shots for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series at least six months ago.

The recommendations for COVID vaccine booster shots are:

People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series  
People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has been authorized as a booster dose, and the above recommendations will only apply to individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their primary series.

DPH continues to stress the importance of vaccination for all Georgians aged 12 and older. Vaccination is our best tool to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state.

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IF YOU ARE SICK OR EXPOSED TO COVID-19

If You're Sick or Exposed to COVID-19

Quarantine if Exposed - August 10, 2021
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, monitor your health for 14 days from your last possible exposure and quarantine at home. CLICK HERE - Quarantine Guidance

Isolate if Sick
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 infection, you must follow home isolation protocol. If you have questions please call 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584). CLICK HERE - Isolation Guidance

Identify Your Contacts
Each confirmed case of COVID-19 will work with trained DPH staff to identify everyone they've been in contact with to prevent additional spread of the disease. CLICK HERE - Contact Tracing

Isolation and Quarantine Calculator - CLICK HERE
This tool gives guidelines and helps you determine how long you should isolate and quarantine when:

You have tested positive and have symptoms
You have tested positive but do not have symptoms
You were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19

COVID-19 TESTING

COVID-19 Testing in Georgia

Testing is available to all Georgians who request it, whether they have symptoms or not.

Find a Public Health Testing Location - CLICK HERE

Commercial Testing Locations - CLICK HERE

DPH/Mako Test Sites - CLICK HERE

Find a Testing Location

Commercial Testing Sites is provided and maintained by Castlight: COVID-19 Resource Center. These are private testing sites and are not endorsed, vetted, or managed by DPH. Individual test providers can set their own testing fee. Ask about the cost, availability, and requirements for testing when you call for an appointment.

DPH/Mako Test Sites is a partnership between DPH and Mako Medical to offer free COVID-19 testing events across Georgia.

What Does My Test Mean?

Even with a negative test result, continue to practice standard safety protocol.

Interpreting Your Results

How Does COVID-19 Testing Work?

There are two different types of tests for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.

COVID-19 Testing in Georgia

After You Are Tested

You should isolate yourself while you wait for test results. If you have a sample taken at one of these locations, it is essential to remain at home and away from other family members as much as possible to prevent the possible spread of disease.

COVID-19 International Travel Letter

Learn more

COVID-19 VACCINES

COVID-19 Vaccines

Top 5 Things to Know About COVID-19 and Delta Variant

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities.

Unvaccinated individuals should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.
With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates.

Data show Delta is different than past versions of the virus: it is much more contagious.

Some vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious.
Even so, vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of transmission occurring around the country.
Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated.

In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of Delta and protect others.
CDC recommends that community leaders encourage vaccination and masking to prevent further outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission.
CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

Georgia eligibility is open for everyone 12 years of age and older for the COVID vaccine.
Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for 16 and 17-year-olds,
and authorized for children aged 12 through 15.

Health Department Scheduling - CLICK HERE

Vaccine Finder - CLICK HERE

Health Department Vaccine
Scheduling Resource Line

(888) 457-0186

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM ET
Saturday – Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM ET

"Languages other than English available."

COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities

Learn more

At Home COVID-19 Vaccinations

Georgia residents who are currently sick, shut-in or homebound due to an ongoing physical or mental disability and are unable to travel to a COVID-19 vaccination site can request to receive vaccination at their home.

Please email HVS@dph.ga.gov or call (888) 572-0112 with the following information for the person who requires at-home vaccination:

Name
Date of birth
Address
City
County
Contact phone number

Georgia CORE

Providing free COVID-19 vaccines across the state with mobile units committed to reaching all Georgians.

Learn more

Georgia Vaccine Plan

Follow the plan for distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia.

COVID-19 Vaccine Plan

COVID-19 Vaccine General FAQ

This information is based on currently available evidence, resources, information, emergency use authorization and expert opinion and is subject to change. As additional evidence regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccine for individuals emerges, it will be necessary to modify this content.

Download a PDF of the full list COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

Read more

COVID-19 FUNERAL AND MORTUARY SCIENCE GUIDANCE

COVID-19 Funeral and Mortuary Science Guidance

The Georgia Department of Public Health has updated their guidance for Funeral Service. It is important to review the entire guidance, including infection control, general guidance, and additional resources. The updated DPH guidance may be viewed by opening the file to the right. We encourage you to print it for your staff. We have received numerous inquiries about the general guidance and have included it below for your quick reference.

General Guidance for Funerals

Attendees should stay 6 feet away from others, wear cloth face coverings, wash/sanitize hands frequently, and avoid direct contact like handshakes, hugging, and kissing at the service or funeral regardless of if a person is fully vaccinated* for COVID-19 or not to protect others who are not vaccinated.
There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who has died of COVID-19. However, people should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.
People who were in recent contact with the deceased and may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 should not attend unless they have been fully vaccinated* prior to their exposure.
People who are part of an at-risk group (people who are older or have severe underlying health conditions), should stay home unless they are fully vaccinated* for COVID-19. People in this group that are vaccinated should still social distance and wear face coverings.
People who feel sick should stay home.
Funeral homes should:

Consider offering livestreaming as an option for these services/viewings;
Discourage families from providing food or beverages;
Supply tissues and alcohol-based hand rubs for the families to use; and
Stock an adequate supply of soap and paper towels in the restrooms.

Ultimately, funeral homes should determine how to best balance this guidance with the needs of their families. Each funeral home should develop a plan to manage challenges presented by the current situation. COVID-19 is a novel illness, and health officials are still learning more about the disease as it continues to spread in our communities. Funeral home managers should stay up to date regarding current COVID-19 recommendations to protect their staff and families of the deceased.

*Fully vaccinated for COVID-19 means that 14 days have passed since an individual has received their second COVID-19 vaccine in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or their first vaccine in a one dose COVID-19 vaccine series.

COVID-19 Funeral and Mortuary Science Guidance

Updated April 12, 2021

STATE OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS - DEATH CERTIFICATE GUIDANCE

Georgia State Office of Vital Records

CLICK HERE - Guidance from the State Registrar - COVID-19 Death Certificate Amendments - August 25, 2021

CLICK HERE - Guidance for Certifying COVID-19 Deaths - May 7, 2020

Governor Brian P. Kemp

CLICK HERE to be redirected to Governor Brian P. Kemp's website.

Executive Orders

Providing additional Georgia National Guard troops and suspending certain rules and regulations to ensure the uninterrupted transport of goods, supplies, and services in response to the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery - 08.30.21.01 - CLICK HERE
Providing additional Georgia National Guard troops to be used in response to the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery - 08.25.21.01 - CLICK HERE
Protecting Economic Recovery During the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery - 08.19.21.03 - CLICK HERE

Additional State Resources

COVID-19: State Services in Georgia - CLICK HERE

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Georgia’s Statewide Executive Order: Guidelines for Businesses - August 24, 2021 - CLICK HERE

Federal & International Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CLICK HERE

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - CLICK HERE

Advisory Memorandum on Ensuring Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers' Ability to Work During the COVID-19 Response - August 10, 2021 - CLICK HERE
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce - August 5, 2021 - CLICK HERE

CombatCOVID.hhs.gov - CLICK HERE

Coronavirus.gov - CLICK HERE

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - CLICK HERE

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - CLICK HERE

Federal Trade Commission - CLICK HERE

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - CLICK HERE

Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace - August 13, 2021 - CLICK HERE

The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) - CLICK HERE

Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval - CLICK HERE
How to tell if your N95 Respirator is NIOSH Approved - September 2021 - CLICK HERE
Understanding Filtration Efficiency Testing and Fit Testing in Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) - September 2021 - CLICK HERE
The Respiratory Protection Information Trusted Source - CLICK HERE
Personal Protective Equipment EUAs - CLICK HERE

U.S. Food and Drug Administration - CLICK HERE

U.S. Small Business Administration - CLICK HERE

USA.gov/Coronavirus - CLICK HERE

WhiteHouse.gov - CLICK HERE

World Health Organization (WHO) - CLICK HERE

AGEG provides COVID-19 information as a service to funeral service professionals. AGEG Members receive AGEG News emails directly with guidance, information and resources critical to their business during the pandemic.

If you are not an AGEG member and have found the information useful, we hope you will join. CLICK HERE for our 2021 membership form or contact the AGEG office.

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