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Coronavirus in Georgia | April 26 updates

The rate of new cases of COVID-19 in Georgia continues to grow, according to state officials.

NOTE: This is an archive blog from April 26, 2020. For the latest coronavirus updates, click here.

The Georgia Department of Public Health said the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus had grown to 23,481 statewide on Sunday evening. This is an increase of 706 cases from 24 hours ago. At noon Sunday, there were 23,401 cases in Georgia. 

Currently, 4,377 patients have been hospitalized in Georgia - or just short of 19 percent of the total number of confirmed cases.

Authorities suggest 916 people have died across the state from COVID-19. This is up from 912 at noon Sunday.

This increase continues unabated, even as the state begins the process on Friday of reopening for some business activity at the encouragement of Gov. Kemp.

Here's what's set to be allowed starting today under Gov. Brian Kemp's order:

  • gyms and fitness centers
  • bowling alleys
  • body art studios
  • barbers, cosmetologists, and hair designers
  • nail care artists
  • estheticians and their respective schools
  • massage therapists

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: 

  • 916 deaths from the novel coronavirus in Georgia, an increase of 4 from 12 p.m. Sunday. There were 912 deaths reported as of noon Sunday.
  • 23,481 confirmed cases across the state, an increase of 80 from the count at noon Sunday. Officials said 23,401 cases were reported at noon Sunday.
  • Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, hair designers, cosmetologists, nail care artists, estheticians and their respective schools, and massage therapists were permitted to reopen by Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday, April 24, subject to social distancing guidelines.
  • Eat-in restaurants and movie theaters will be permitted to reopen on Monday, April 27 under the governor's order, also under strict social distancing guidelines.
  • 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


Sunday, April 26, 2020

23,481 cases, 916 deaths across the state in 7 p.m. update

The Georgia Department of Public Health said the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus had grown to 23,401 statewide on Sunday evening. This is an increase of 706 cases from 24 hours ago. At noon Sunday, there were 23,401 cases in Georgia. 

Currently, 4,377 patients have been hospitalized in Georgia - or just short of 19 percent of the total number of confirmed cases.

Authorities suggest 916 people have died across the state from COVID-19. This is up from 912 at noon Sunday.

This increase continues unabated, even as the state begins the process on Friday of reopening for some business activity at the encouragement of Gov. Kemp.

Here's a breakdown of confirmed cases and deaths by county in Georgia:

Fulton    2545    94

Dekalb    1800    36

Gwinnett    1504    47

Dougherty    1470    108

Cobb    1428    75

Hall    1033    11

Clayton    641    21

Henry    451    10

Cherokee    374    10

Richmond    360    14

Sumter    356    21

Carroll    326    11

Lee    302    18

Mitchell    290    26

Bartow    286    28

Douglas    278    8

Muscogee    275    4

Forsyth    252    8

Bibb    248    6

Houston    209    13

Chatham    206    6

Early    198    15

Upson    197    14

Spalding    190    8

Coweta    188    4

Baldwin    181    6

Habersham    171    3

Newton    166    6

Colquitt    165    6

Terrell    165    17

Fayette    161    8

Rockdale    161    6

Paulding    160    7

Thomas    158    16

Crisp    153    2

Randolph    153    19

Columbia    143    2

Worth    141    9

Floyd    133    10

Lowndes    131    4

Butts    126    3

Troup    126    4

Clarke    123    13

Dooly    112    7

Barrow    108    3

Coffee    107    4

Ware    107    8

Tift    102    4

Walton    95    3

Calhoun    85    3

Gordon    81    10

Burke    77    3

Jackson    73    1

Macon    70    3

Stephens    70    1

Wilcox    68    6

Turner    63    6

Whitfield    63    4

Decatur    60    1

Walker    59    0

Appling    56    4

Harris    56    2

Greene    53    1

Oconee    53    0

Laurens    52    1

Pierce    52    2

Dawson    51    1

Glynn    51    1

Meriwether    49    0

Grady    48    3

Bryan    47    2

Oglethorpe    47    3

Catoosa    46    0

Gilmer    46    0

Polk    46    0

Mcduffie    43    4

Brooks    39    6

Pike    39    2

Marion    38    1

White    38    0

Peach    37    2

Johnson    36    2

Liberty    35    0

Bulloch    34    2

Effingham    34    1

Washington    34    1

Lamar    33    0

Union    32    2

Putnam    31    3

Wilkinson    31    2

Lumpkin    29    0

Miller    29    0

Camden    28    1

Seminole    27    2

Toombs    27    3

Haralson    26    1

Jones    26    0

Telfair    26    0

Murray    24    0

Ben Hill    23    0

Dodge    23    0

Fannin    23    0

Wilkes    23    0

Madison    22    1

Morgan    22    0

Bacon    21    1

Brantley    21    2

Pickens    21    2

Talbot    21    1

Clay    20    2

Jasper    20    0

Monroe    20    1

Pulaski    20    1

Towns    20    0

Baker    19    2

Elbert    19    0

Emanuel    19    0

Banks    18    0

Hancock    18    0

Cook    17    1

Franklin    17    0

Stewart    17    0

Berrien    16    0

Dade    16    1

Jenkins    16    1

Schley    16    1

Taylor    16    2

Irwin    15    1

Crawford    14    0

Jefferson    14    1

Screven    14    1

Chattooga    13    1

Warren    12    0

Jeff Davis    11    1

Wayne    11    0

Lincoln    10    0

Bleckley    9    0

Heard    9    1

Rabun    9    0

Candler    8    0

Chattahoochee    8    0

Lanier    8    1

Webster    8    1

Atkinson    7    0

Charlton    7    0

Clinch    7    0

Tattnall    7    0

Twiggs    7    0

Hart    6    0

Echols    5    0

Evans    4    0

Mcintosh    4    0

Long    3    0

Quitman    3    1

Wheeler    3    0

Montgomery    2    0

Treutlen    2    0

Unknown    622    0

Non-Georgia Resident    1022    9

*Based on patient county of residence when known

National Sikh Organization has meals sent to Emory frontline workers

The National Sikh Organization is an Atlanta-based non-profit that connects those in healthcare distress and life-threatening emergencies with financial aid from donors across the country.

The group took time on Saturday to deliver meal assistance to frontline workers at Emory Healthcare as their way to say thank you for those who are dedicating their very lives, day and night, to saving lives and fighting to defeat the coronavirus pandemic that threatens everyone.

The meals are being delivered as part of the Meals for Frontline Workers initiative. The initiative allows anyone to have free meals delivered to healthcare and first responder workers as a thank you for those on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: National Sikh Organization has meals delivered to Emory Healthcare workers

Good news for little Ashton's heart surgery

Ashton Phillips is a 7-month-old identical twin from Albany, Ga., and his doctors said several weeks ago that he could not wait until after the coronavirus pandemic to have desperately needed emergency heart surgery.

His parents said the outbreak meant they both were out of work and left them having a hard time finding a place to live near his doctors in Atlanta.

Both Ashton and his brother Peyton were healthy at birth, but doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta found a problem with Ashton's heart a few months ago and said they would need to operate as soon as possible, calling it a high-priority case.

The surgery was scheduled for April 22, the pandemic notwithstanding, with the date not being moved.

Another problem facing the family was securing accommodations in the Atlanta area. Gov. Kemp's order in early April blocked "short-term vacation rentals" across the state, which literally left them nowhere to go. 

RELATED: Good news for little Ashton

Waffle House to make major changes to operations for Georgia reopening

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp gave a big thank you to Waffle House for their work in restructuring their operations in order to reopen their restaurants on Monday.

"My thanks to @WaffleHouse CEO Walt Ehmer and the entire Waffle House family on their work to restructure their operations and ensure they can get back to serving customers safely! #gapol," Kemp said in a Tweet, on Saturday.

The iconic Atlanta-based chain has 400 locations across the state of Georgia and has had to make major adjustments during the coronavirus pandemic, shifting to a carry-out and delivery only model.

With the governor's decision to reopen restaurants, the iconic Atlanta-based eatery will have to make major adjustments to its operations in order to reopen their doors.

Employees will all have to wear face masks, and booths will have to be staggered.

RELATED: Waffle House to make major changes to operations for Georgia reopening

There are 23,401 cases reported across the state and 912 deaths Sunday afternoon

Early Sunday afternoon, the Georgia Department of Public Health said the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus had grown to 23,401 statewide. This is an increase of 706 cases from 24 hours ago. At 7 pm Saturday night, there were 23,216 cases in Georgia. 

912 people have passed away across the state from COVID-19. This is up from 899 at this time yesterday. State officials said there were 907 deaths at 7 pm Saturday night.

The largest number of cases, by far, are in Fulton County, where 2,542 cases have been reported. Other counties reporting 1,000 cases or more include DeKalb with 1,798; Gwinnett with 1,495; Dougherty with 1.469; Cobb with 1,411; and Hall with 1,033 cases.

The highest death toll remains in Dougherty County where 108 people have lost their lives from COVID-19. Other counties reporting 25 or more deaths include Fulton with 92; Cobb with 75; Gwinnett with 46; DeKalb with 36; Bartow with 28; and Mitchell with 26.

The percentage of persons hospitalized has dropped slightly, to 18.63 percent, or 4,359, statewide. 

For a statewide breakdown of each county's number of cases, please visit our interactive map.

A listing of confirmed cases by county follows:

County - Cases - Deaths

Fulton    2542    92
Dekalb    1798    36
Gwinnett    1495    46
Dougherty    1469    108
Cobb    1411    75
Hall    1033    11
Clayton    641    21
Henry    450    10
Cherokee    374    10
Richmond    356    14
Sumter    355    21
Carroll    325    11
Lee    300    18
Mitchell    290    26
Bartow    285    28
Douglas    276    8
Muscogee    273    4
Forsyth    252    8
Bibb    248    6
Houston    209    13
Chatham    205    6
Upson    197    14
Early    196    15
Spalding    189    8
Coweta    188    4
Baldwin    181    6
Habersham    171    3
Newton    167    6
Colquitt    165    6
Terrell    165    17
Fayette    161    8
Rockdale    161    6
Paulding    160    7
Thomas    158    16
Crisp    153    2
Randolph    153    19
Worth    140    9
Columbia    138    2
Floyd    133    10
Lowndes    131    4
Butts    125    3
Clarke    123    13
Troup    122    4
Dooly    112    7
Barrow    108    3
Ware    105    8
Coffee    103    4
Tift    102    3
Walton    97    3
Calhoun    86    3
Gordon    81    10
Jackson    73    1
Burke    71    3
Macon    70    3
Stephens    70    1
Wilcox    68    6
Whitfield    63    4
Turner    62    6
Decatur    60    1
Walker    59    0
Appling    56    4
Harris    55    2
Greene    53    1
Oconee    53    0
Laurens    52    1
Pierce    52    2
Dawson    51    1
Glynn    51    1
Meriwether    49    0
Grady    48    3
Bryan    47    2
Oglethorpe    47    3
Catoosa    46    0
Gilmer    46    0
Polk    46    0
Mcduffie    43    4
Brooks    39    6
Pike    39    2
Marion    38    1
White    38    0
Peach    37    2
Johnson    36    2
Liberty    35    0
Bulloch    34    2
Effingham    34    1
Washington    34    1
Lamar    33    0
Putnam    31    3
Wilkinson    31    2
Lumpkin    29    0
Miller    29    0
Union    29    2
Camden    28    1
Seminole    27    2
Toombs    27    3
Haralson    26    1
Jones    26    0
Telfair    26    0
Murray    24    0
Ben Hill    23    0
Dodge    23    0
Morgan    23    0
Wilkes    23    0
Madison    22    1
Bacon    21    1
Brantley    21    2
Fannin    21    0
Pickens    21    2
Talbot    21    1
Clay    20    2
Jasper    20    0
Pulaski    20    1
Towns    20    0
Baker    19    2
Elbert    19    0
Emanuel    19    0
Monroe    19    1
Banks    18    0
Hancock    18    0
Franklin    17    0
Stewart    17    0
Berrien    16    0
Cook    16    1
Dade    16    1
Jenkins    16    1
Schley    16    1
Taylor    16    2
Irwin    15    1
Crawford    14    0
Screven    14    1
Chattooga    13    1
Jefferson    13    1
Warren    12    0
Jeff Davis    11    1
Wayne    11    0
Lincoln    10    0
Bleckley    9    0
Heard    9    1
Rabun    9    0
Candler    8    0
Chattahoochee    8    0
Lanier    8    1
Webster    8    1
Atkinson    7    0
Charlton    7    0
Clinch    7    0
Tattnall    7    0
Twiggs    7    0
Hart    6    0
Echols    5    0
Evans    4    0
Mcintosh    4    0
Long    3    0
Quitman    3    1
Wheeler    3    0
Montgomery    2    0
Treutlen    2    0
Unknown    620    0
Non-Georgia Resident    1022    9

*Based on patient county of residence when known

23,216 confirmed cases; 907 deaths

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there are 23,216 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state as of Saturday evening. The number of deaths from the virus is at 907 across the state. 

Of those confirmed to have the virus, about 18.75 percent have been hospitalized - or 4,353 people.

Here is a listing, county-by-county of the number of confirmed cases and deaths in Georgia: 

Fulton    2543    91

Dekalb    1788    36

Dougherty    1470    108

Gwinnett    1460    46

Cobb    1395    74

Hall    1032    9

Clayton    642    21

Henry    436    10

Cherokee    368    10

Richmond    355    14

Sumter    350    21

Carroll    325    11

Lee    299    18

Mitchell    287    25

Bartow    283    28

Douglas    276    8

Muscogee    270    4

Forsyth    249    8

Bibb    247    6

Chatham    206    6

Houston    206    13

Upson    196    14

Early    194    15

Spalding    189    8

Coweta    187    4

Baldwin    180    6

Habersham    170    3

Newton    166    6

Colquitt    165    6

Terrell    165    17

Rockdale    162    6

Fayette    161    8

Paulding    159    7

Thomas    157    16

Randolph    153    19

Crisp    151    2

Worth    140    9

Columbia    138    2

Floyd    133    10

Lowndes    131    4

Clarke    127    13

Butts    125    2

Troup    122    4

Barrow    111    3

Dooly    108    7

Ware    105    8

Coffee    103    4

Tift    100    3

Walton    97    3

Calhoun    86    3

Gordon    81    10

Jackson    75    1

Burke    71    3

Macon    68    3

Wilcox    68    6

Whitfield    63    4

Turner    62    6

Decatur    60    1

Walker    59    0

Stephens    56    1

Harris    55    2

Oconee    55    0

Appling    54    4

Greene    53    1

Laurens    52    1

Pierce    52    2

Dawson    51    1

Glynn    51    1

Meriwether    49    0

Grady    48    3

Oglethorpe    48    3

Bryan    47    2

Catoosa    46    0

Polk    45    0

Mcduffie    43    4

Brooks    39    6

Pike    39    2

Marion    38    1

White    38    0

Peach    37    2

Gilmer    36    0

Johnson    36    2

Liberty    35    0

Bulloch    34    2

Effingham    34    1

Washington    34    1

Lamar    33    0

Putnam    31    3

Wilkinson    30    2

Lumpkin    29    0

Camden    28    1

Miller    28    0

Union    28    2

Seminole    27    2

Toombs    27    3

Haralson    26    1

Jones    26    0

Telfair    26    0

Morgan    24    0

Murray    24    0

Ben Hill    23    0

Dodge    23    0

Madison    23    1

Wilkes    22    0

Bacon    21    1

Brantley    21    2

Fannin    21    0

Talbot    21    1

Clay    20    2

Jasper    20    0

Pickens    20    2

Pulaski    20    1

Towns    20    0

Baker    19    2

Emanuel    19    0

Monroe    19    1

Banks    18    0

Franklin    17    0

Hancock    17    0

Stewart    17    0

Berrien    16    0

Cook    16    1

Dade    16    1

Elbert    16    0

Jenkins    16    1

Schley    16    1

Taylor    16    2

Irwin    15    1

Crawford    14    0

Screven    14    1

Chattooga    13    1

Jefferson    13    1

Warren    12    0

Jeff Davis    11    1

Wayne    11    0

Lincoln    10    0

Bleckley    9    0

Heard    9    1

Rabun    9    0

Chattahoochee    8    0

Lanier    8    1

Twiggs    8    0

Atkinson    7    0

Candler    7    0

Charlton    7    0

Clinch    7    0

Webster    7    0

Hart    6    0

Tattnall    6    0

Echols    5    0

Evans    4    0

Mcintosh    4    0

Long    3    0

Quitman    3    1

Wheeler    3    0

Montgomery    2    0

Treutlen    2    0

Unknown    608    1

Non-Georgia Resident    991    10

Things to know this morning

  • The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added six new symptoms of COVID-19 to its official website.
  • Stacey Abrams will appear on NBC's "Meet The Press" and other news programs on Sunday morning.
  • Cobb County reopened access to three popular trails and 14 "passive parks" on Saturday
  • 2,512 cases of coronavirus were reported among residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a report released by state officials on Friday.

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