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 here. Have a question? Text it to us at 404-885-7600.
---
Vice President Mike Pence will be visiting Atlanta on Friday, to meet with Gov. Brian Kemp and representatives from the restaurant industry, one of the hardest hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
We'll be breaking down the trends and relaying information from across the state of Georgia as it comes in.
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:
- As of Thursday night, there have been 1,808 deaths in Georgia, with the state's earliest reported death on March 5. Over the last 14 days (5/9-5/22), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 29.07. Over the previous 14-day period (4/25-5/8), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 35.14.
- There have been 41,482 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 636.71. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in newly confirmed cases was 639.64.
- There have been 7,376 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 99.14. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in new patients was 117.71.
- 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 22, there were 889 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.
- All public school buildings in Georgia are closed through the end of the school year
- Public Health Emergency remains in effect.
Things to know for Friday, May 22
- With concerns over whether the public will observe social distancing guidelines over Memorial Day Weekend, Georgia officials are warning that those guidelines will be enforced.
- Gov. Brian Kemp and the state public health commissioner, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, addressed recent missteps by the Department of Public Health in how it presents COVID-19 data.
- An expert at Georgia State University's School of Public Health told 11Alive he's still "very concerned" about the state's potential for a coronavirus surge.
- The Georgia High School Association said it will allow schools to resume sports activities limited to workouts and conditioning beginning June 8.
7 p.m. update released
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health's latest status report, there are currently 41,482 cases of coronavirus in Georgia. The state says, 1,808 people have died. Another 7,376 are hospitalized with the virus.
Click here for our interactive map to see a breakdown of the cases by county.
Georgia COVID-19 cases, deaths tick up over last week
Our numbers team Friday noticed a few changes over the past week we want highlight for you.
Let's start with new cases. The past two days, we've seen a slight uptick in new cases reported. We also noticed a change in the number of deaths we're seeing
Click to read the full analysis by our team of journalists following the numbers.
Restaurant industry, paycheck protection program the focus of roundtable with VP Pence
The Vice President is back in Washington after spending Friday in metro Atlanta. He came to see how Georgia is doing three weeks after the state began to reopen.
During his visit with Gov. Brian Kemp, Pence participated in a round-table discussion with restaurant executives at Waffle House's headquarters near Norcross. (Read the full story.)
The restaurant industry, hard hit by the pandemic, was a focus of the conversation, as well as the important Paycheck Protection Program passed in Congress to help businesses stay afloat.
During the discussion, restaurant owners discussed how they have managed to stay in business and reopen during the pandemic.
Watch the full round-table below.
1 p.m. update released
According to the numbers from the state Department of Public Health, there are now 41,218 cases of coronavirus in Georgia. Data shows that 1,785 people have died from the virus. Another 7,313 people have been hospitalized in Georgia, over the course of the pandemic.
Fulton County is still reporting the highest number of cases, with 3,899 positive cases and just under 200 deaths.
DeKalb (3064), Gwinnett (2920), Cobb (2626) and Hall (2265) counties finish out the top five counties for cases of coronavirus in the state.
SEC to begin allowing sports activities again on June 8
SEC sports activity will be allowed to resume on a voluntary basis on June 8, the conference announced Friday.
According to a release, the athletic activities can be held "under strict supervision of designated university personnel and safety guidelines developed by each institution."
Live! at the Battery Atlanta announces preliminary plan for reopening
The Battery Atlanta said it is reopening two of its venues at Live! at the Battery Atlanta.
Beginning Thursday, May 28, Sports & Social Atlanta and The Tavern will be re-open to the public for in-venue dining.
"We have thoughtfully put new procedures in place that allow us to welcome back team members and guests in the safest manner possible and remain committed to providing best-in-class dining, hospitality and experiences for all our guests during this time," the group said.
The venues will offer contactless ordering and payment through OneDine, which they said does not require an app.
Also, while the venues will be providing limited in-venue seating, the Battery Atlanta said exterior patio space will be greatly extended for guests to enjoy outdoor seating.
In addition, the group said some live entertainment will return Thursday through Sunday afternoons at their outdoor spaces, including live sport viewing.
Atlanta's Fox Theatre cancels 'Hamilton' engagement because of pandemic
The Atlanta run of "Hamilton" at the Fox Theatre has been cancelled, according to an update from Broadway in Atlanta.
“Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the rescheduled performances of Hamilton at the Fox Theatre this August and September will not be able to go on as planned," the theater announced on Facebook.
Instead, the Fox Theatre said it has scheduled new performance dates for next year, with a run from Aug. 24 through Sept. 26, 2021.
Kroger announces new designated hours for seniors, high-risk shoppers
Kroger’s Atlanta Division announced Friday it has established new senior and at-risk shopping hours.
Beginning May 27, stores will block off 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Wednesdays as designated shopping hours for seniors over 60 and high-risk individuals, as defined by the CDC.
The announcement comes as the chain expanded its store hours, with most opening at 6:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. or midnight. Some fuel centers and stores with fuel centers will open at 5:00 a.m. Select stores will open for 24-hour shopping.
For exact store hours, visit Kroger’s store locator at Kroger.com. Hours of operation for Kroger’s pharmacies will not change.
'Best practices’ for resuming Georgia’s TV and film productions are released
On Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a filming “best practices” guide for Georgia that offers guidance for the state’s thriving film and television industries to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 when productions resume.
The guide offers safety tips for several roles within the industry from background actors, catering, craft services, casting, make-up, wardrobe, camera equipment and sound operation.
Companies may opt to use these recommendations in conjunction with industry-wide labor and management protocols as they are developed.
Nearly 60% of nursing home residents tested, governor's office says
Georgia has tested 59.7% of all nursing home residents, according to the governor's office.
"One of the key battlefields in our fight against COVID-19 is Georgia's nursing homes, and we are laser-focused on providing the necessary protective equipment and testing to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe," said Governor Kemp.
8 inmates, 1 employee test positive for COVID-19 at Gwinnett County Jail
Eight inmates and one employee at the Gwinnett County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
A spokesperson said they were under quarantine at the facility.
MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES