ATLANTA — Here is the latest coronavirus blog for April 22.
Below is an archive
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The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers issued guidance for the safe reopening of Georgia's salons and spas. Scroll to read more.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday his plans for gradually reopening Georgia, which will begin with certain small businesses this Friday. Here's everything you need to know about the governor's plan.
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:
- 818 deaths from the novel coronavirus in Georgia
- 20,166 confirmed cases across the state
- Statewide shelter-in-place order will expire on April 30
- All public schools in Georgia closed through the end of the school year
- Public Health Emergency remains in effect until May 13
April 21, 2020
State releases guidelines for cosmetology and barber shops to reopen
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers issued guidance for the safe reopening of Georgia's salons and spas, Gov. Brian Kemp's office said Tuesday. They are officially allowed to reopen on Friday.
"As we begin the process of safely reopening our economy, it is critical that business owners, operators, and contractors adhere strictly to increased safety and sanitation guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Gov. Kemp said. "Working together, I am confident that we can get these sectors back online and work to ensure the health and safety of all Georgians."
The state said salon/shop owners should use the OSHA “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” as a guide for reopening.
Some of the guidelines include: temperature checks, screening questions, limiting people in shops/salons, maintain social distancing, use of masks, disinfection.
Kay Kendrick, chair of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers said:
"Under our sanitation laws and rules, we are charged with the responsibility of protecting consumers from the spread of contagious diseases everyday in our salons. By adding the safety guidelines that have been developed by the board and some of our industry leaders in the cosmetology and barber profession, we feel that our professionals will be able to do an even better job of protecting themselves and their clients. I trust that all our professionals will use these guidelines to be safe and protect their clients."
The complete list of guidelines will be available here.
Confirmed cases top 20K
The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. As of 7 p.m., there are 20,166 confirmed cases of the virus and 818 deaths reported. This is up from the 19,881 confirmed cases and 799 deaths that they announced earlier in the day.
Of the 20,166 confirmed cases, 2206 are in Fulton, 1563 are in DeKalb, 1456 are in Dougherty, 1230 are in Cobb and 1238 are in Gwinnett.
They said 3885 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19.
Of the confirmed cases, 1 percent are between the ages of 0-17, while 62 percent are 18-59 years old, 34 percent are over 60 and 3 percent are unknown. 54 percent are female, and 44 percent are male.
In total, 82,407 tests were conducted at commercial labs, reporting 19,141 positive cases. At the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 5,733 tests were conducted with 1,025 positive results.
COUNTY - CASES - DEATHS
Fulton 2206 83
Dekalb 1563 30
Dougherty 1456 103
Gwinnett 1238 44
Cobb 1230 60
Hall 756 9
Clayton 547 21
Henry 384 10
Sumter 334 20
Cherokee 324 10
Carroll 313 11
Richmond 294 12
Lee 277 17
Bartow 256 27
Mitchell 254 23
Douglas 246 7
Muscogee 235 4
Forsyth 216 8
Bibb 207 4
Chatham 185 6
Houston 184 12
Upson 180 11
Early 174 10
Coweta 169 4
Colquitt 156 6
Terrell 156 18
Randolph 146 16
Fayette 144 8
Thomas 143 14
Newton 142 4
Paulding 141 7
Rockdale 141 6
Worth 140 9
Spalding 136 8
Baldwin 135 4
Floyd 127 8
Crisp 125 2
Columbia 122 2
Clarke 116 13
Lowndes 113 3
Habersham 112 2
Troup 107 4
Barrow 101 3
Ware 93 7
Tift 92 4
Coffee 83 4
Butts 81 1
Calhoun 75 2
Dooly 73 6
Gordon 67 7
Walton 63 3
Turner 58 4
Jackson 57 1
Macon 55 1
Decatur 53 1
Oconee 53 0
Burke 51 3
Pierce 51 2
Greene 50 1
Glynn 49 0
Meriwether 47 0
Whitfield 46 4
Dawson 45 1
Wilcox 45 6
Harris 44 2
Laurens 43 1
Stephens 41 1
Grady 38 2
Mcduffie 37 3
Polk 36 0
Walker 36 0
Johnson 35 1
Peach 35 2
Bryan 34 2
Liberty 34 0
Oglethorpe 34 3
Pike 34 2
Brooks 33 6
Bulloch 32 2
White 32 0
Effingham 29 1
Lamar 29 0
Marion 29 1
Catoosa 28 0
Washington 28 1
Camden 27 0
Lumpkin 26 0
Putnam 26 2
Seminole 26 2
Haralson 25 1
Miller 23 0
Morgan 23 0
Wilkinson 22 2
Appling 21 1
Jones 21 0
Toombs 21 3
Baker 20 2
Brantley 20 2
Clay 20 2
Talbot 20 1
Bacon 19 1
Ben Hill 19 0
Dodge 19 0
Fannin 19 1
Gilmer 19 0
Murray 19 0
Wilkes 19 0
Jasper 18 0
Pickens 18 2
Madison 17 1
Pulaski 17 1
Stewart 17 0
Banks 16 0
Schley 16 1
Emanuel 15 0
Irwin 15 0
Monroe 15 1
Telfair 15 0
Towns 15 0
Union 15 1
Crawford 14 0
Screven 14 1
Cook 13 1
Dade 13 1
Jenkins 13 1
Taylor 13 2
Franklin 12 0
Jefferson 11 1
Berrien 10 0
Chattooga 10 1
Hancock 10 0
Lincoln 10 0
Warren 10 0
Wayne 9 0
Heard 8 1
Rabun 8 0
Candler 7 0
Charlton 7 0
Chattahoochee 7 0
Clinch 7 0
Elbert 7 0
Jeff Davis 7 1
Lanier 7 1
Webster 7 0
Hart 6 0
Atkinson 5 0
Bleckley 5 0
Echols 5 0
Tattnall 5 0
Evans 4 0
Mcintosh 4 0
Twiggs 4 0
Quitman 3 1
Wheeler 3 0
Long 2 0
Montgomery 2 0
Treutlen 2 0
Unknown 483 0
Non-Georgia Resident 977 8
Petition created to reverse Kemp's decision to reopen Georgia
A change.org petition created on Monday already has nearly 16,000 signatures demanding Gov. Brian Kemp reverse his decision announced yesterday to begin reopening Georgia businesses.
"We cannot keep putting our economy and personal agendas over human lives," the organizer Meghan Dowlen said. "We cannot keep allowing this man to harm people that he clearly doesn't care about."
The news of gyms, tattoo parlors, hair salons and bowling alleys would open this Friday made national headlines, with many questioning this decision.
"This kind of negligence has no doubt spread the virus further, and the chances of more people getting sick/dying will most certainly be higher now, Dowlen said.
The petition can be viewed here.
DeKalb Sheriff issues update on jail
DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox reported today on the impact of the DeKalb County Jail’s Emergency Plan of Action for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said 13 inmates - only one percent of the total jail population - have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, eight inmates remain in custody and are in isolation under the care of medical services.
“We have greatly limited access to our facility,” said Sheriff Maddox. “All persons entering the facility, including staff members and vendors, continue to be screened for high temperatures, as a condition for access.
Sheriff Maddox says that there are 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff members, which represents only two percent of the total employee population. Those remain away from the office on quarantine and/or in treatment.
“We are in touch with them and they tell us that they are doing well,” she said.
Confirmed cases now at 19,881 with 799 deaths
The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. As of Noon, there are 19,881 confirmed cases of the virus and 799 deaths reported. This is up from the 19,400 confirmed cases and 775 deaths that they announced on Monday evening.
Of the 19,881 confirmed cases, 2208 are in Fulton, 1534 are in DeKalb, 1446 are in Dougherty, 1215 are in Cobb and 1222 are in Gwinnett. In all, there are cases reported in 157 counties (470 cases are listed as unknown counties). There are 970 cases reported as "non-Georgia residents." For a breakdown by county, view the 11Alive interactive map.
They said 3,779 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19.
Of the confirmed cases, 1 percent are between the ages of 0-17, while 62 percent are 18-59 years old, 34 percent are over 60 and 3 percent are unknown. 54 percent are female, and 44 percent are male.
In total, 82,407 tests were conducted at commercial labs, reporting 18,864 positive cases. At the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 5,733 tests were conducted with 1017 positive results.
County - Cases - Deaths
Fulton 2208 82
Dekalb 1534 29
Dougherty 1446 103
Gwinnett 1222 42
Cobb 1215 59
Hall 720 9
Clayton 546 20
Henry 384 11
Sumter 333 18
Cherokee 322 10
Carroll 307 11
Richmond 295 12
Lee 277 17
Bartow 256 24
Douglas 244 7
Muscogee 234 4
Mitchell 214 23
Forsyth 213 8
Bibb 203 2
Chatham 185 6
Houston 185 12
Upson 179 11
Early 173 10
Coweta 170 4
Terrell 156 18
Colquitt 154 5
Randolph 146 16
Fayette 144 8
Paulding 143 7
Rockdale 140 6
Newton 139 4
Spalding 136 7
Thomas 133 14
Baldwin 132 4
Worth 129 8
Floyd 127 9
Crisp 125 2
Columbia 120 2
Clarke 114 13
Habersham 107 2
Lowndes 105 3
Troup 105 4
Barrow 99 3
Tift 93 4
Ware 92 7
Coffee 83 4
Butts 82 2
Dooly 73 5
Gordon 66 6
Walton 64 3
Calhoun 61 2
Decatur 59 1
Turner 59 4
Jackson 56 1
Macon 55 1
Oconee 53 0
Burke 51 3
Pierce 51 2
Glynn 49 0
Meriwether 47 0
Whitfield 46 4
Dawson 45 1
Greene 45 1
Wilcox 45 5
Harris 44 2
Laurens 43 1
Stephens 41 1
Mcduffie 37 3
Polk 36 0
Peach 35 2
Bryan 34 2
Grady 34 1
Johnson 34 1
Liberty 34 0
Oglethorpe 34 3
Pike 34 2
Bulloch 31 2
White 31 0
Brooks 30 6
Effingham 29 1
Lamar 29 0
Marion 29 1
Walker 28 0
Camden 27 0
Catoosa 26 0
Putnam 26 2
Lumpkin 25 0
Seminole 25 2
Washington 25 1
Haralson 23 1
Miller 23 0
Morgan 22 0
Wilkinson 22 2
Appling 21 0
Baker 20 2
Brantley 20 2
Clay 20 2
Jones 20 0
Talbot 20 1
Toombs 20 3
Bacon 19 1
Ben Hill 19 0
Dodge 19 0
Fannin 19 1
Murray 19 0
Wilkes 19 0
Gilmer 18 0
Pickens 18 2
Jasper 17 0
Pulaski 17 1
Stewart 17 0
Madison 16 1
Schley 16 1
Banks 15 0
Irwin 15 0
Monroe 15 1
Telfair 15 0
Towns 15 0
Union 15 1
Crawford 14 0
Emanuel 14 0
Cook 13 1
Jenkins 13 1
Taylor 13 2
Dade 12 1
Franklin 12 0
Screven 12 1
Jefferson 11 1
Berrien 10 0
Chattooga 10 1
Hancock 10 0
Warren 10 0
Lincoln 9 0
Wayne 9 0
Rabun 8 0
Candler 7 0
Charlton 7 0
Chattahoochee 7 0
Clinch 7 0
Elbert 7 0
Heard 7 1
Jeff Davis 7 1
Lanier 7 1
Webster 7 0
Hart 6 0
Atkinson 5 0
Bleckley 5 0
Tattnall 5 0
Echols 4 0
Evans 4 0
Mcintosh 4 0
Twiggs 4 0
Quitman 3 1
Wheeler 3 0
Long 2 0
Montgomery 2 0
Treutlen 2 0
Unknown 470 0
Non-Georgia Resident 970 7
Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page won't open Smyrna yoga gym
Diamond Dallas Page says he won't be opening his popular Smyrna yoga gym on Friday when such businesses are allowed to reopen.
The wresting legend, who has built a yoga instruction empire in his post-WWE career, told TMZ that he would be "erring on the side of caution" with his plans to eventually reopen.
He said he understood the pressure other small businesses owners are feeling and Gov. Kemp's wish to give them a lifeline, but that it wasn't the right time for his yoga gym.
"I'm not gonna do it," he said. "But if it works for other people, then let them do it, but for me personally it won't work."
Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund announces grants
The fund, which was put together by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the United Way of Greater Atlanta, announced nearly $1.5 million in grants.
The largest grant, $300,000, went to Partners for Home, which helps people experiencing homelessness. Other recipients include Quality Care for Children ($150,00), Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation ($200,000) and Georgia Public Broadcasting ($50,000).
For full details you can visit the United Way site.
Children's puts out call for help
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta says it's already received more than 1,500 handmade cloth masks from the public, but still needs help.
"To support social distancing guidelines and the health of our patients, families and employees, we are currently under 'universal' masking guidelines, meaning all employees are required to wear masks at work. Masks are provided for all employees regardless of work area," Children's said in a message. "Employees who work in clinical areas will continue to wear a medical mask as indicated by their clinical area or by the type of care they provide, and employees with limited patient interaction may wear a Children's-provided cloth mask – that’s where these come in. These masks are a precious resource for which we still have great need. For any sewers out there able to help, we have two patterns for cloth masks that cater to those with varied levels of skill."
The healthcare provider offers this guidance on how to make the masks.
Piedmont Hospital to deliver messages to patients
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital says it is starting up a program to deliver messages from friends and families to patients.
The hospital says loved ones can email greetings to PAHPatientExperience@piedmont.org with their messages and it will be delivered within 24-28 hours to the patient.
“We know it’s difficult for our patients not to have their family and friends with them at the bedside, so we wanted to provide an easy way to reach out,” said Pamela Redman, Director of Patient Experience at Piedmont Atlanta. “We hope that sharing these messages with our patients will give them a boost and let them know their loved ones are thinking of them and wishing them well.”
Things to know this morning
- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reacted to the governor's announcement, saying she was "perplexed." Other mayors said they were not told in advance of Kemp's plans.
- The governor outlined a number of specific reopening dates for certain businesses - here's what those are
- Some small businesses spoke about their concerns with the unknowns of opening back up
- Emory is looking for older volunteers to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial
MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES