Videos posted to social media show dozens of people — most not wearing masks — tightly packed together while dancing to music and drinking outside the apartment complex.
“We are disappointed that many of our students chose to ignore Covid-19 public health guidance by congregating in a large group without social distancing or face coverings,” Carson said. “The University of North Georgia continues to emphasize to our students and university community that everyone has an individual responsibility both on and off campus to follow guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC to prevent the spread of the virus.”
On Sunday, the department reported 1,873 new cases and 33 new deaths statewide, for a total of 237,030 cases and 4,702 deaths in Georgia since the state began tracking the virus.
Lumpkin County, where Dahlonega is located, accounts for 417 of those cases — 116 of which were reported in the last two weeks, according to the county map breakdown on the health department’s website. Nine deaths and 62 hospitalizations have also been reported in the county, the website shows.