x
Breaking News
More () »

Coronavirus in Georgia on April 16

There are now more than 16,000 confirmed cases of the virus with more than 600 deaths reported.

ATLANTA — Here is the latest coronavirus blog for April 17.

Below is an archive 

==

The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of 7 p.m., there are now more than 16,000 confirmed cases of the virus with more than 600 deaths reported. Scroll to read more.

At 11Alive News, our coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit the 11Alive coronavirus page for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about Georgia specifically, learn more about the symptoms, and keep tabs on the cases around the world here. Have a question? Text it to us at 404-885-7600.

State and federal officials with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are continually monitoring the spread of the virus. They are also working hand-in-hand with the World Health Organization to track the spread around the world and to stop it.

We will continue to track the most important coronavirus elements relating to Georgia on this page. Refresh often for new information.

Key Facts: 

Credit: WXIA

Thursday, April 16

Confirmed cases surpass 16,000 with 617 deaths

The number of positive coronavirus cases in Georgia has now pushed pass 16,000, with 16,368 cases of COVID-19 being reported. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that 617 people have now died from the virus, with another 3,260 people hospitalized.

Fulton (1945), Dougherty (1358), DeKalb (1260) and Cobb (1014) counties are reporting more than 1,000 cases each, with Gwinnett reporting just over 900 cases. 

There are only two counties remaining out of the 159 in Georgia who have not yet recorded a case.

Here's the county-by-county breakdown:

County - Cases - Deaths

Fulton    1945    66
Dougherty    1358    88
Dekalb    1260    21
Cobb    1014    49
Gwinnett    917    32
Hall    526    5
Clayton    473    13
Henry    330    5
Sumter    292    14
Lee    267    15
Carroll    258    7
Cherokee    245    8
Bartow    240    22
Richmond    231    9
Douglas    209    6
Muscogee    200    4
Mitchell    193    22
Bibb    179    1
Chatham    170    5
Forsyth    169    5
Houston    158    9
Early    148    8
Upson    143    6
Coweta    142    3
Terrell    137    12
Randolph    135    11
Fayette    126    5
Paulding    123    5
Floyd    122    6
Spalding    122    5
Newton    115    3
Worth    114    4
Thomas    112    14
Rockdale    111    6
Colquitt    105    5
Crisp    104    1
Clarke    102    12
Baldwin    100    2
Columbia    87    0
Barrow    81    3
Lowndes    79    3
Tift    79    4
Troup    77    4
Ware    76    5
Coffee    72    3
Dooly    64    4
Calhoun    59    2
Habersham    57    2
Walton    56    3
Decatur    55    0
Gordon    50    5
Pierce    49    2
Turner    49    1
Glynn    45    0
Oconee    45    0
Jackson    43    1
Macon    42    0
Greene    40    1
Dawson    39    2
Butts    38    0
Laurens    38    1
Burke    35    2
Mcduffie    35    2
Meriwether    35    0
Harris    34    1
Whitfield    34    3
Wilcox    34    0
Johnson    33    1
Oglethorpe    32    1
Bryan    30    2
Peach    30    2
Pike    28    1
Polk    28    0
Stephens    28    0
Camden    26    0
Grady    26    1
Liberty    26    0
Effingham    24    1
Bulloch    23    1
Washington    23    0
Brooks    22    2
Lamar    21    0
Seminole    21    1
Marion    20    0
Miller    20    0
White    20    0
Clay    19    2
Dodge    19    0
Haralson    19    1
Lumpkin    19    0
Morgan    19    0
Baker    18    2
Catoosa    18    0
Wilkinson    18    1
Appling    17    0
Bacon    17    1
Murray    17    0
Toombs    17    2
Brantley    16    1
Pulaski    16    1
Jones    15    0
Monroe    15    1
Pickens    15    2
Talbot    15    1
Fannin    14    0
Madison    14    1
Putnam    14    0
Schley    14    1
Banks    13    0
Irwin    13    0
Telfair    13    0
Walker    13    0
Crawford    12    0
Emanuel    12    0
Jenkins    12    1
Stewart    12    0
Cook    11    1
Jefferson    11    1
Screven    11    1
Taylor    11    3
Wilkes    11    0
Ben Hill    10    0
Berrien    10    0
Franklin    10    0
Jasper    10    0
Towns    10    0
Warren    10    0
Chattooga    9    1
Lincoln    9    0
Gilmer    8    0
Union    8    1
Clinch    7    0
Dade    7    1
Elbert    7    0
Rabun    7    0
Wayne    7    0
Chattahoochee    6    0
Hancock    6    0
Lanier    6    1
Charlton    5    0
Hart    5    0
Heard    5    1
Tattnall    5    0
Atkinson    4    0
Candler    4    0
Mcintosh    4    0
Twiggs    4    0
Webster    4    0
Bleckley    3    
Echols    3    0
Jeff Davis    3    0
Quitman    3    1
Wheeler    3    0
Evans    2    0
Long    2    0
Montgomery    2    0
Treutlen    1    0
Unknown    212    0
Non-Georgia Resident    724    6

*Based on patient county of residence when known

Marietta City Schools use buses as WiFi hotspots for students

To help students stay connected while digital learning during the remainder of the school year, Marietta City Schools said it would be using buses as WiFi hotspots.

The buses will be at the following locations from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1    MCS15-36 - LAUREL HILLS APT

2    MCS15-37 - LASSITER DR @ HALSEY DR

3    MCS16-42 - 555 LITTLE ST DWELLS APT

4    MCS16-43 - CLIFTON RIDGE APT

5    MCS16-45 - CLUSTER PARK

6    MCS16-46 - ROOSEVELT CIR

7    MCS16-47 - 750 FRANKLIN GTWY DWELLS APT

8    MCS16-48 - 2121 WINDY HILL RD THE PARC APT

9    MCS16-49 - BOOTH RD PARK

10   MCS16-50 - ELIZABETH PORTER PARK

11   MCS16-51 - LAUREL PARK

12   MCS16-54 - 07 FRANKLIN GTWY LIBERTY POINT APT

More details on how to connect

Testing ramped up at Jim Miller Park in Cobb County

Officials say testing has been expanding and ramped up at the Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. The expanded hours and new criteria do not require a doctor’s referral.  

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and who are considered vulnerable, elderly, healthcare workers, first responders or other critical infrastructure workers will continue to get priority. However, those without symptoms, but may have been exposed to the virus and are healthcare workers, first responders, critical infrastructure workers will be tested as capacity allows. 

Testing is still by appointment only. 

Gov. Kemp tours nearly-completed alternate care facility at GWCC

Gov. Brian Kemp toured the nearly-completed alternate care facility today at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

The state of Georgia has entered into a contract with the Virginia-based supply firm PAE to build a 200-hospital bed alternate care facility at the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Across Georgia, we have partnered with existing healthcare infrastructure to greatly expand our surge capacity, and now we have a dedicated team building out a temporary facility at the Georgia World Congress Center for potential COVID-19 patient surge,” Kemp said on Sunday.

Atlanta solicitor: There are options to handle citations during the pandemic

While the City of Atlanta Municipal Court may be closed to the public, the city's solicitor reminded that there are still options available to resolve traffic citations.

One of the main ways, according to Solicitor Raines F. Carter is through the Office of the City Solicitor PreTrial Diversion (PTIT).  

The PTIT programs allows the opportunity to avoid points on a driver's license and other negative consequences of a traffic violation.  

To learn more about PTIT, go to www.AtlantaGa.gov/PITT, email at PTIT@ATLANTAGA.GOV, or call at 404.658.6163. 

Please provide the citation number and contact information. If the citation has already been paid, this option will not be available.

DOJ grants $1.6 million for public safety in response to COVID-19 in Georgia

The Department of Justice for the Middle District of Georgia says that more than $1.6 million in federal grant money has been made available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program to fight the coronavirus in the state. 

"Each community will have the opportunity to use this emergency funding to help address their most urgent public safety challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler.

The grants were made available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. 

The law gives jurisdictions the leeway to use the funds as they see fit, including hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas and addressing inmates’ medical needs. 

The money has been allocated to specifically help areas of Georgia hardest hit by the spread of the disease, including Albany, Americus, Athens-Clarke County, Baldwin County, Columbus, Dougherty County, Houston County, Lowndes County, Macon-Bibb County, Monroe, Sumter County, Tift County, Tifton, Valdosta, Walton County and Warner Robins.

Fulton County Schools to distribute meals one day a week

Fulton County Schools will go to a one-day-a-week schedule for meal distribution, giving all five days' worth of meals to students in one swoop.

The school district did that yesterday for this week, a move that was driven by new guidance for district employees who have been working sites distributing the meals to wear masks.

The 21 sites at which meals are distributed will do so on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Confirmed cases in Georgia now at 15,669 with 587 deaths

The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of Noon, there are 15,669 confirmed cases of the virus and 587 deaths reported. This is up from the 15,260 confirmed cases and 576 deaths that they announced on Wednesday evening.  

Of the 15,669 confirmed cases, 1929 are in Fulton, 1247 are in DeKalb, 1338 are in Dougherty, 990 are in Cobb and 896 are in Gwinnett. In all, there are cases reported in 157 counties (144 cases are listed as unknown counties). There are 707 cases listed as "non-Georgia residents." For a breakdown by county, view the 11Alive interactive map.

They said 3,108 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19.

Of the confirmed cases, 1 percent are between the ages of 0-17, while 61 percent are 18-59 years old, 35 percent are over 60 and 3 percent are unknown. 54 percent are female, and 44 percent are male.

In total, 63,581 tests were conducted at commercial labs, reporting 14,836 positive cases. At the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 4,358 tests were conducted with 833 positive results.

COUNTY - CASES - DEATHS

Fulton    1929    63

Dougherty    1338    83

Dekalb    1247    18

Cobb    990    47

Gwinnett    896    32

Clayton    468    13

Hall    411    5

Henry    330    5

Sumter    277    14

Lee    265    15

Carroll    243    7

Cherokee    242    8

Bartow    237    21

Douglas    202    6

Muscogee    192    4

Richmond    189    8

Mitchell    183    20

Forsyth    162    5

Chatham    161    5

Houston    154    9

Early    146    6

Coweta    140    3

Upson    139    5

Terrell    137    12

Randolph    134    7

Fayette    124    5

Floyd    121    6

Paulding    121    5

Bibb    118    1

Newton    115    3

Thomas    112    10

Worth    112    4

Rockdale    108    6

Clarke    102    12

Spalding    99    5

Colquitt    98    5

Baldwin    97    2

Crisp    93    1

Columbia    82    0

Tift    78    4

Lowndes    77    3

Troup    75    4

Coffee    71    3

Barrow    70    3

Ware    69    5

Dooly    63    4

Calhoun    59    2

Walton    55    3

Decatur    54    0

Gordon    49    5

Habersham    48    2

Pierce    48    2

Turner    48    1

Oconee    45    0

Glynn    44    0

Greene    39    1

Macon    39    0

Butts    38    0

Dawson    37    2

Jackson    37    1

Laurens    37    1

Wilcox    34    0

Harris    33    1

Whitfield    33    3

Burke    32    2

Mcduffie    31    2

Oglethorpe    31    1

Bryan    30    2

Meriwether    29    0

Peach    28    2

Pike    27    1

Polk    27    0

Camden    26    0

Liberty    26    0

Grady    25    1

Stephens    25    0

Effingham    24    1

Johnson    24    1

Bulloch    23    1

Washington    23    0

Brooks    21    2

Lamar    21    0

Haralson    20    1

Miller    20    0

Seminole    20    1

Dodge    19    0

Catoosa    18    0

Clay    18    2

Appling    17    0

Baker    17    2

Marion    17    0

Morgan    17    0

Toombs    17    2

Wilkinson    17    1

Murray    16    0

Brantley    15    1

Jones    15    0

Pickens    15    2

White    15    0

Bacon    14    1

Fannin    14    0

Madison    14    1

Monroe    14    1

Putnam    14    0

Talbot    14    1

Irwin    13    0

Schley    13    1

Telfair    13    0

Walker    13    0

Jenkins    12    1

Crawford    11    0

Emanuel    11    0

Lumpkin    11    0

Pulaski    11    1

Banks    10    0

Ben Hill    10    0

Cook    10    0

Jasper    10    0

Screven    10    1

Taylor    10    2

Wilkes    10    0

Berrien    9    0

Jefferson    9    1

Lincoln    9    0

Stewart    9    0

Warren    9    0

Chattooga    8    1

Franklin    8    0

Gilmer    8    0

Towns    8    0

Union    8    1

Clinch    7    0

Dade    7    1

Elbert    7    0

Rabun    7    0

Hancock    6    0

Wayne    6    0

Charlton    5    0

Chattahoochee    5    0

Hart    5    0

Heard    5    1

Lanier    5    1

Tattnall    5    0

Candler    4    0

Mcintosh    4    0

Twiggs    4    0

Webster    4    0

Atkinson    3    0

Bleckley    3    0

Echols    3    0

Jeff Davis    3    0

Quitman    3    1

Wheeler    3    0

Evans    2    0

Long    2    0

Montgomery    2    0

Treutlen    1    0

Unknown    144    0

Non-Georgia Resident    707    6

Lyft launches 'essential deliveries' in Atlanta

Lyft announced on Thursday that they launched Essential Deliveries, a pilot initiative where government agencies, local non-profits, businesses and healthcare organizations can request a Lyft driver to transport essentials - groceries, medical supplies, and more - to other businesses and people in need.

"Essential Deliveries was rapidly developed over the past several weeks to meet the increased need for delivery during the current pandemic," they said in a news release. 

It is currently available in only 11 markets, including Atlanta, and they said this is a way to help the community, while opening new opportunities for Lyft drivers.   

Clayton County Public Schools expands partnership with food bank

Clayton County Public Schools said Thursday they have expanded its partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and will now provide grocery services every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., through May 22, 2020. 

Sites hosting the Atlanta Community Food Bank grocery services are Huie Elementary, King Elementary, Tara Elementary, West Clayton Elementary, and Lovejoy High School. 

Volunteers are needed every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the five locations to package food items. Additionally, they said volunteers are needed to assist in distributing the food at 8 a.m. every Friday. If you'd like to volunteer, you can email the district at ccpscommunications@clayton.k12.ga.us

In addition, CCPS will continue to provide free Grab-N-Go Meals at 23 sites. Breakfast and lunch will be served Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. 

Things to know Thursday morning 

MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES

China denies allegations new coronavirus came from a laboratory

Atlanta moves to prevent evictions amid pandemic, renters worried about their future

VERIFY: Yes, debt collectors could take your stimulus check money

This is a breakdown of Georgia's coronavirus-related deaths

Tracking COVID-19: Georgia Coronavirus Interactive map

These are the coronavirus hot spots in Georgia

Before You Leave, Check This Out