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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

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COVID-19 hospitalization rates across Georgia were nearly double the national average between June and July amid signs of a late summer wave sweeping the country.

Why it matters: With the rise in at-home testing making official COVID-19 case numbers less reliable, hospitalization rates are an important metric for gauging viral spread.

By the numbers: The average COVID-19 hospitalization rate nationwide rose about 17% between June and July, per the latest available CDC data.

In Georgia, the increase between June and July was 32%.

That made for an average hospitalization rate of about 2.2 per 100,000 people in July, according to the CDC.

What's happening: A new variant, EG.5, is now the dominant form in the U.S., according to CDC estimates — though it's unclear if it's directly responsible for the rising numbers.

What they're saying: Georgia Department of Public Health spokesperson Nancy Nydam said Friday that the new variant nicknamed "Eris" is responsible for about 16% of new Covid cases in Georgia.

Reality check: In both percentage change and raw terms, nationwide hospitalizations remain far below their pandemic-era peak.

In July, they were down 82% and 84% year-over-year nationally and in Georgia, respectively, according to the CDC data.

Zoom out: Hospitalization rates from June to July rose the fastest in Mississippi (+73% month over month), Alabama (+66%) and Louisiana (+66%).

Yet they were down in Michigan (-32%), Vermont (-31%) and Rhode Island (-31%).

Of note: Some pharmacies in the metro Atlanta area are watching at-home testing kits fly off the shelves, the AJC reports.

The bottom line: There's no sign we're headed for anything like the waves of the peak pandemic era.

But it's still an alarming trend, and a reminder that COVID-19 remains a public health concern.

COVID hospitalizations rise in Georgia

The alarming trend is a reminder that the virus is still a public health issue.

COVID-19

COVID-19 hospitalization rates across Georgia were nearly double the national average between June and July amid signs of a late summer wave sweeping the country.Why it matters: With the rise in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at-home testing" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32439200.131/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMDgvaG9tZS1yYXBpZC1jb3ZpZC10ZXN0LXJlcG9ydC1wb3NpdGl2ZS1hbWVyaWNhP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62040854aec03c0b97f858b5B42506e79" data-vars-content-id="446c0907-7dfd-471c-af7e-7eaebe4c5af1" data-vars-headline="COVID hospitalizations rise in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32439200.131/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMDgvaG9tZS1yYXBpZC1jb3ZpZC10ZXN0LXJlcG9ydC1wb3NpdGl2ZS1hbWVyaWNhP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62040854aec03c0b97f858b5B42506e79" target="_blank">at-home testing</a> making official COVID-19 case numbers less reliable, hospitalization rates are an important metric for gauging viral spread.

COVID

News

Health

New estimates from the CDC show 4.7% of kindergartners across Georgia were granted exemptions from required vaccines as of the school year ending in 2022 — the highest percentage in the Southeast.

Why it matters: Vaccinations reduce the spread of childhood illnesses — some potentially fatal — that once plagued the country, such as polio.

While children are generally required to get a number of vaccinations before attending public school, exemptions can be given for both medical and non-medical reasons (such as religious or moral objections), depending on local rules.

Threat level: Studies have found an increased risk of infection from vaccine-preventable diseases among exempt children.

In 2019, a measles outbreak was reported at Mabry Middle School in Cobb County, according to the AJC.

Georgia's exemption rate increased from 1.3% in 2012.

What's happening: A COVID-19 vaccination is not required for young children attending public school anywhere in the U.S., Still, it appears that concerns over that shot may be fueling broader vaccine skepticism among a relatively small but growing number of parents — though that trend certainly existed before the pandemic.

By the numbers: The nationwide median kindergarten vaccine exemption rate was rising even before the pandemic, increasing from 1.4% in 2012 to 2.6% in 2019.

It has stayed at 2.5% or higher since 2020, coming in at 2.7% in 2022, the latest year for which data is available.

Zoom out: Across the country, Idaho (9.8%), Utah (7.4%) and Oregon (7%) had the highest median kindergarten vaccination exemption rates.

Mississippi, New York and West Virginia were tied for the lowest, at 0.1%.

Of note: In Georgia, if a parent objects to a vaccination based on religious beliefs, they have to fill out an affidavit and provide that form to the school or child care facility where the student will be attending.

Between the lines: Even as the kindergarten vaccine exemption rate ticks up, Americans as a whole are overwhelmingly supportive of childhood vaccinations, according to a recent Pew survey.

When it comes to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot, 88% of Americans said the benefits outweigh the risks, compared to 10% who feel the opposite.

"The share expressing confidence in the value of MMR vaccines is identical to the share who said this in 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak," the survey reports.

Yes, but: Just 70% of Americans now say healthy kids should be vaccinated as a requirement to attend public school, down from 82% in the pre-pandemic era, Pew found.

There's a significant partisan split here, with 85% of Democrats agreeing with such a requirement compared to 57% of Republicans.

While Democratic support for vaccine requirements held steady at around 85% between pre- and post-pandemic years, Republican support took a remarkable nosedive, falling from 79% in 2019 to 57% in 2023.

Put another way, the overall decline in support for vaccination requirements is being driven almost entirely by Republicans.

The bottom line: We'd like to see further research before definitively saying that skepticism around the COVID-19 shots is leading to higher childhood vaccination exemption rates — but it sure seems that way.

As Pew put it: "Those who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 are among those most likely to express concern about childhood vaccines generally."

Georgia sees rise in kindergarten vaccine exemptions

The nationwide median rate of kindergartners with vaccine exemptions nearly doubled between the school years ending in 2012 and 2022

New estimates from the CDC show 4.7% of kindergartners across Georgia were granted exemptions from required vaccines as of the school year ending in 2022 — the highest percentage in the Southeast.Why it matters: Vaccinations reduce the spread of childhood illnesses — some potentially fatal — that once plagued the country, such as polio.

Georgia's birthrate dropped significantly between 2007 and 2022 — falling nearly 29%, according to new CDC data. 

Why it matters: The birthrate is a closely watched figure for myriad reasons. 

It tends to fall as income rises, which can be an indication of better access to contraception, family planning and abortion care.

And it tends to be lower in societies with higher rates of women in the workforce.

The big picture: Georgia's decline in birthrate is in line with what's happening across the country. During the same time period, the nationwide birthrate fell from 14.3 births per 1,000 people to 11.1, or nearly 23%.

Threat level: Some fear that if the birthrate dips too low, it will bring about a crisis where there are too few young people to care for an aging populace. (This is a particularly salient issue in Japan, which has among the world's oldest populations and where the birthrate fell to a record low last year.)

The intrigue: In the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, the birthrate across the U.S. and in Georgia was steadily declining year over year (except for a slight bump in 2014).

While it dropped from 11.4 in 2019 to 11.0 in 2020, it remained flat in 2021 — and even ticked up slightly in 2022, to 11.1.

The bottom line: It'll take a few more years before the pandemic's impact on birthrates is fully understood. In the meantime, it seems likely the overall rate will resume its downward trend as post-pandemic normality continues settling in.

Georgia's birthrate is declining

Georgia's birth rate fell nearly 29% between 2007 and 2022

Birth

Georgia&#x27;s birthrate dropped significantly between 2007 and 2022 — falling nearly 29%, according to new CDC data. Why it matters: The birthrate is a closely watched figure for myriad reasons. <ul><li>It <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tends to fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2016/december/link-fertility-income" data-vars-content-id="9b5b51b3-cb8a-4fda-a7a9-450859d2b86f" data-vars-headline="Georgia&#x27;s birthrate is declining" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2016/december/link-fertility-income" target="_blank">tends to fall</a> as income rises, which can be an indication of better access to contraception, family planning and abortion care.</li><li>And it tends to be lower in societies with higher rates of women in the workforce.</li></ul>

Data: U.S. Census; Note: Unadjusted estimate of privately owned units of any size; Chart: Axios Visuals

Here's some news that won't come as a shock to anyone: Atlanta is experiencing a spike in new residential construction.

Driving the news: ​​74 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in Atlanta in May 2023, up considerably from 32.7 in May 2020 — the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the 4,461 total permits, 2,391 were issued for single-family homes, 54 for buildings with 2-4 units, and 2,016 for those with five or more units.

That's according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Axios' Kavya Beheraj and Alex Fitzpatrick.

The big picture: Nationwide, 42.3 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in May 2023, up from 32.9 in May 2020.

In May 2023, 139,600 total permits were issued across the U.S. — the majority of which (88,900) were for single-family homes.

Nearly 46,000 were issued for buildings with five or more units, and nearly 5,000 for those with between two and four units.

Why it matters: A post-pandemic nationwide housing shortage is keeping prices high.

Recent estimates from Freddie Mac indicate the U.S. is short about 3.8 million units of housing, either for rent or purchase, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

A bump in new home construction could bring prices down — it's basic supply and demand.

Zoom in: Some cities are seeing an especially significant explosion in new home construction as a post-pandemic reality takes hold.

In Raleigh, for example, 138 new permits per 100,000 residents were issued in May 2023, up from 71.7 in May 2020.

State of play: While many newly built homes have been targeted at (and thus priced for) relatively wealthier buyers, homebuilders are starting to focus on more affordable projects for first-time homebuyers, Axios' Matt Phillips reports.

What they're saying: "It's a renewed focus, given the lack of inventory," Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, told Axios.

"First-time buyers are going to play a key role in the order expansion for homebuilders going forward," Deitz said.

Go deeper: "Golden handcuffs" pinch metro Atlanta's housing market

"Golden handcuffs" pinch metro Atlanta's housing market

Homebuilding surges in Atlanta

74 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in Atlanta in May 2023.

Here&#x27;s some news that won&#x27;t come as a shock to anyone: Atlanta is experiencing a spike in new residential construction.Driving the news: ​​74 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in Atlanta in May 2023, up considerably from 32.7 in May 2020 — the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ul><li>Of the 4,461 total permits, 2,391 were issued for single-family homes, 54 for buildings with 2-4 units, and 2,016 for those with five or more units.</li><li>That&#x27;s according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from Axios&#x27; Kavya Beheraj and Alex Fitzpatrick.</li></ul>The big picture: Nationwide,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 42.3 new homebuilding permits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/07/homebuilding-hot-spots" data-vars-content-id="ea593042-2965-41e5-b7b1-bb431bb34ac7" data-vars-headline="Homebuilding surges in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/07/homebuilding-hot-spots" target="_self"> 42.3 new homebuilding permits</a> per 100,000 residents were issued in May 2023, up from 32.9 in May 2020.<ul><li>In May 2023, 139,600 total permits were issued across the U.S. — the majority of which (88,900) were for single-family homes.</li><li>Nearly 46,000 were issued for buildings with five or more units, and nearly 5,000 for those with between two and four units.</li></ul>Why it matters: A post-pandemic nationwide housing shortage is keeping prices high.<ul><li>Recent estimates from<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Freddie Mac" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210507-housing-supply" data-vars-content-id="ea593042-2965-41e5-b7b1-bb431bb34ac7" data-vars-headline="Homebuilding surges in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210507-housing-supply" target="_blank"> Freddie Mac</a> indicate the U.S. is short about 3.8 million units of housing, either for rent or purchase, Axios&#x27; Emily Peck<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" data-vars-content-id="ea593042-2965-41e5-b7b1-bb431bb34ac7" data-vars-headline="Homebuilding surges in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" target="_self"> reports</a>.</li><li>A bump in new home construction could bring prices down — it&#x27;s basic supply and demand.</li></ul>Zoom in: Some cities are seeing an especially significant explosion in new home construction as a post-pandemic reality takes hold.<ul><li>In Raleigh, for example, 138 new permits per 100,000 residents were issued in May 2023, up from 71.7 in May 2020.</li></ul>State of play: While many newly built homes have been targeted at (and thus priced for) relatively wealthier buyers, homebuilders are starting to focus on more affordable projects for<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" first-time homebuyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/27/mortgage-rates-first-time-homebuyers" data-vars-content-id="ea593042-2965-41e5-b7b1-bb431bb34ac7" data-vars-headline="Homebuilding surges in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/27/mortgage-rates-first-time-homebuyers" target="_self"> first-time homebuyers</a>, Axios&#x27; Matt Phillips reports.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;It&#x27;s a renewed focus, given the lack of inventory,&quot; Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, told Axios.<ul><li>&quot;First-time buyers are going to play a key role in the order expansion for homebuilders going forward,&quot; Deitz said.</li></ul>Go deeper: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Golden handcuffs&quot; pinch metro Atlanta&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/07/21/atlanta-mortgage-rates-golden-handcuffs" data-vars-content-id="ea593042-2965-41e5-b7b1-bb431bb34ac7" data-vars-headline="Homebuilding surges in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/07/21/atlanta-mortgage-rates-golden-handcuffs" target="_self">&quot;Golden handcuffs&quot; pinch metro Atlanta&#x27;s housing market</a>

Real Estate

Data: ParkScore; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

Atlanta is making strong investments in its parks, but has room for improvement when it comes to acreage and access, particularly among low-income residents and people of color.

What's happening: Atlanta ranks 28th among the 100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks, according to the latest report from the pro-parks nonprofit Trust for Public Land, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

The rating is based on a variety of metrics, including the percentage of residents who live near a park, the share of city land reserved for parks and parks investment.

Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of benefits — including significant health boosts. Residents of the top 25 cities are less likely to report poor mental health or low physical activity, according to TPL.

By the numbers: Atlanta scored 66 out of 100 for access, 25 for acreage, 97 for investment, 64 for amenities and 48 for equity.

77% of Atlanta residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to TPL.

Yes, but: That access is lowest for neighborhoods with high concentrations of Black, Asian and Hispanic peoples. "Residents in neighborhoods of color have access to 7% less park space per person than the city's average neighborhood and 50% less than those in white neighborhoods," the report says.

Zoom in: The Atlanta City Council recently passed a measure to increase and earmark a larger portion of property taxes to pay for maintenance — which could improve equity and draw more people to nearby parks, Michael Halicki of Park Pride recently told Axios.

The parks department released an Equity Data Tool to study disparities in park access. A Trust for Public Land, Park Pride and Atlanta Public Schools program  promotes communities being allowed to use nearby school playgrounds.

Reality check: Not every city park is a multi-acre masterpiece — yet even "pocket parks" and community garden lots grant physical, mental and social benefits.

"If there's a pocket park with no sports facilities at all, but I walked 12 minutes to get there and I walk 12 minutes home, I've got my 24 minutes of moderate activity for that day," Howard Frumkin, TPL's senior vice president and director of the nonprofit's Land and People Lab,  said.

Of note: Atlanta has 449 parks, some of which are small traffic triangles smaller than a tenth of an acre.

What's next: TPL's report offers a bevy of recommendations for cities looking to boost their score, including expanding access (through better public transportation, for instance), starting drop-in sports programs, and exploring innovative partnerships with local health care organizations.

How Atlanta's parks rank nationally

In Atlanta and cities across the country, access to greenspaces shows room for improvement

Outdoor activities

A chart showing Atlanta's scores from 0 to 100, most of which are in the middle except for acreage (low) and investment (high), for its parks system

Atlanta is making strong investments in its parks, but has room for improvement when it comes to acreage and access, particularly among low-income residents and people of color.What&#x27;s happening: Atlanta ranks 28th among the 100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f6884d7d-902a-461f-8155-bad0474e3e61" data-vars-headline="How Atlanta&#x27;s parks rank nationally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" target="_blank">latest report</a> from the pro-parks nonprofit Trust for Public Land, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

Kavya Beheraj

Featured stories

Georgia's birthrate is declining

Georgia sees rise in kindergarten vaccine exemptions

COVID hospitalizations rise in Georgia

Homebuilding surges in Atlanta

How Atlanta's parks rank nationally