ATLANTA — Below is an archive
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.
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We're breaking down the trends and relaying information from across the state of Georgia as it comes in, bringing perspective to the data and context to the trends.
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.
Key Facts:
- There have been 1,933 deaths in Georgia, with the state's earliest reported death on March 5. Over the last 14 days (5/14-5/27), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 27.79 deaths each day. Over the previous 14-day period (4/30-5/13), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 27.50.
- There have been 44,638 cases confirmed in Georgia, with the state's earliest reported case on Feb. 1. Over the last 14 days, the average daily increase in newly confirmed cases was 618.64 new cases a day. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in newly confirmed cases was 654.79.
- There have been 7,745 total patients hospitalized in Georgia during the pandemic, according to the Department of Public Health's cumulative total. Over the last 14 days, the average daily increase in new patients was 97.93 new patients a day. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in new patients was 80.14.
- The Georgia Emergency Management Agency began reporting current statewide hospitalizations on May 1. That day they reported 1,500 current hospitalizations. By the most recent report on May 27, there were 910 current hospitalizations.
- Gov. Brian Kemp's statewide shelter-in-place order expired at midnight on April 30. However, his order for the elderly and medically-fragile remains in effect until June 12.
- Public Health Emergency remains in effect.
Things to know for Wednesday, May 27
- A doctor told us that masks with an exhalation valve, which have become popular online, are only helping the person wearing them.
- As the government races toward a vaccine - and what would be a historic national vaccination program - it's also trying to get rid of the little-known program that will pay your medical bills if you develop SIRVA, or "shoulder injury related to vaccine administration."
- The Hope Center in Fayetteville went into lockdown three months ago because of COVID-19 and for the first time in their 61 year marriage, George was forced to be apart from Jan. Their daughter then used her background in aerospace engineering to come up with the Safe Hug Window.
The University System of Georgia has outlined its various contingency plans for opening in the fall.
Rapper 2Chainz's popular restaurant Escobar is under fire for failing to maintain social distancing requirements.
State releases 7 p.m. update
The latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health show that there are 44,638 cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 1,933 people who have died from the virus.
So far, there have been 7,745 people who have been hospitalized from the virus. Currently, there are 910 hospitalized, an uptick in the number of current hospitalizations which had been below the 900 mark for several days.
For a current county-by-county breakdown of the virus in Georgia, visit our interactive map.
Gov. Kemp to hold briefing Thursday
The governor and the coronavirus task force are set to hold a briefing at the state Capitol again, Thursday, to update the public on where things stand for the pandemic. The briefing will be held at 4 p.m.
11Alive will stream the briefing online and on our YouTube channel.
Atlanta mayor weighs in on city's slow tiptoe away from COVID-19 shutdown
The City of Atlanta has expanded its guidelines to slowly reopen the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mayor’s office stresses that the city’s stay-at-home guidelines are shifting based on scientific data and not on the calendar.
Bottoms said the city restrictions eased because, over a 14 day span, Fulton County health records showed consistent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, hospital bed use, and the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests.
"I believe the decrease in numbers that we saw is because we took very aggressive action - especially in the metro area and our densely populated areas - that made our numbers not as high as we’ve seen in other places," Bottoms said.
VERIFY: 'Germ Bubbles' help control coronavirus exposure
Social isolation can be really difficult - especially for families with small kids who might not understand the need to stay apart during COVID-19.
So when 11Alive heard this new term "germ bubble", we thought it might be too good to be true. The idea is to form a group with one or two other families - you can all see each other - but not anyone else.
It sounds exciting for people who are sick of the quarantine - but does it work? We sent 11Alive's Kaitlyn Ross out to verify.
DPH updates site to reflect antibody test info
A week after its coronavirus testing figure came under sharp criticism for including antibody tests, the Georgia Department of Public Health is now providing some clarity on how those tests fit into the large picture.
Read more on why the change is important.
Fulton County elections board gives update
Fulton County Election Director Rick Barron gave an update on the upcoming election.
According to Barron, Fulton County is up to date processing absentee ballots, after a short delay due to a staffer testing positive for the virus. Another staffer died from the virus, he said.
Barron said as of this morning the county has received, 127,000 absentee applications and 32,000 ballots, not counting mail today. To put it in perspective: in 2016 Fulton County received 947 absentee ballots for the general primary. He said this is a completely different election, and they have had to split their resources.
He added that if voters checked the Secretary of State’s website and they do not see an issue date for an absentee ballot by their name, they are asked to contact 404-612-7060 to let them know whether they have submitted an application and it is not showing up on the state's My Voter page.
Fulton County residents still have the option to drop their ballots in the 20 drop boxes across the county.
As far as in-person voting goes, the board has expand hours of early voting from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at six locations. They are also looking at opening two additional early voting locations.
Atlanta moving to Phase II of reopening
On Wednesday morning, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the city was ready to move to Phase 2 of her five-phase reopening plan, easing some of the recommended restrictions the mayor is asking city residents and businesses to follow.
The second phase of the plan takes modest steps to restore normal activity in the city, such as allowing small, private gatherings of fewer than 10 people and curbside pickup service at restaurants and retail stores.
Read more on what moving to Phase II means for you, and how we get to Phase III.
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