Army Cyber, NSA Georgia at Fort Gordon reinstate masking policy after rise in COVID cases

Army Cyber and NSA Georgia at Fort Gordon have reinstated their masking policies following a rise in COVID-19 cases in Richmond and Columbia counties.

The mask policies were reinstated at the Army Cyber and NSA Georgia facilities on July 3, according to Anne H. Bowman, Fort Gordon deputy public affairs officer.

A USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows Richmond County reported 414 cases and two deaths in the week ending Sunday, July 10. A week earlier, it had reported 408 cases and one death. Columbia County reported 311 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 228 cases and one death.

More: Richmond County's COVID cases up 41.2%; Georgia cases surge 13.8%

Previously: Army to begin discharge of unvaccinated soldiers, which could include some at Fort Gordon

Other health news: Monkeypox in Georgia: What you should know about the disease

Both counties have been identified as "high transmission counties," according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Georgia ranked 31st among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, according to USAT analysis.

According to the CDC, 50% of Richmond County residents are fully vaccinated, while 51% of Columbia County residents are fully vaccinated.

Currently, Fort Gordon has not re-implemented a post-wide masking policy, according to Bowman. However, all military members are required to be fully vaccinated.

Mike Stucka of USA TODAY NETWORK contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Army Cyber, NSA Georgia at Fort Gordon reinstate COVID -19 mask policy