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.
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We are breaking down the coronavirus trends and related information across the state of Georgia and providing updates as they come 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, there have been 1,775 deaths in Georgia, with the state's earliest reported death on March 5. Over the last 14 days (5/8-5/21), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 26.86. Over the previous 14-day period (4/24-5/7), the average daily increase in newly reported deaths was 34.64.
- There have been 40,663 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 606.57. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in newly confirmed cases was 646.14.
- There have been 7,289 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 93.93. Over the previous 14-day period, the average daily increase in new patients was 117.36.
- 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 21, there were 919 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.
State releases 7 p.m. data
According to the latest report for the coronavirus in Georgia, the state confirms there are now 40,663 cases of the virus and 1,775 deaths.
Of the cases, 3,872 of those were located in Fulton County. Behind that was DeKalb County, with 3,038.
Gwinnett (2882), Cobb (2625) and Hall (2248) counties filled out the top five.
For a county-by-county breakdown of the data, got to 11Alive's interactive map.
State getting additional supply of Remdesivir
During a news conference on Thursday at the state capitol, it was announced that the state would be getting additional Remdesivir. The drug is an antiviral used by patients hospitalized with serious symptoms caused by COVID-19 including low oxygen levels and pneumonia. DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said the new batch will be in powder form.
Kemp, public health commissioner address concerns about data missteps
Georgia's leadership is assuring the public that they are committed to transparency and owning up to past errors when it comes to the entry of the state's coronavirus data.
"I have said from the very beginning that we are making decisions based on data, science and the advice of pubic health officials like Dr. (Kathleen) Toomey," Gov. Brian Kemp said during a news conference Thursday updating the state on the fight against the coronavirus.
Kemp asks Georgians to schedule elective procedures to help struggling hospital systems
Now, citing an improvement in testing and hospitalization rates, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is asking for people across the state to help by going back to the doctor to get their routine checkups and elective procedures.
In the past few days, Kemp said, several of the state's largest and most successful health systems - including Wellstar and Emory Healthcare - have announced that they will have to cut hours and furlough employees in order to offset major budget shortages.
"Please go to your doctor for a checkup if you are due for one," Kemp urged. "Schedule time for routine procedures, like dental cleanings and eye exams and other tests that can prioritize your health."
Emory Healthcare to cut hours, furlough up to 1,500 employees amid budget shortfalls
Emory Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in the state, announced it would be cutting hours and furloughing up to 1,500 employees as it faces a $660 million revenue shortfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported.
The news follows Wellstar Health System’s announcement on May 20 it was forced to furlough more than 1,000 employees as it faces up to $600 million in losses also brought on by the pandemic.
GHSA approves for activities to resume
The Georgia High School Athletics association announced during a board meeting conference call on Thursday that summer training activities can begin on June 8. They said Gov. Brian Kemp gave them the green light to begin on June 1, but they decided to push it back by a week. There will be several guidelines in place for the activities to begin.
State releases 1 p.m. data
The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of 1 p.m., there are 40,405 confirmed cases of the virus and 1,754 deaths reported.
Of the 40,405 confirmed cases, 3810 are in Fulton, 3008 are in DeKalb, 2869 are in Gwinnett, 2601 are in Cobb and 2232 are in Hall. For a breakdown by county, view the 11Alive interactive map.
They said 7,235 patients have been hospitalized with COVID-19.
COUNTY - CASES - DEATHS
Fulton 3810 182
DeKalb 3008 92
Gwinnett 2869 121
Cobb 2601 135
Unknown 2598 2
Hall 2232 40
Dougherty 1719 141
Non-Georgia Resident 1686 25
Clayton 1038 42
Cherokee 767 28
Henry 621 20
Richmond 503 17
Habersham 472 16
Muscogee 465 17
Douglas 455 20
Forsyth 440 12
Carroll 432 24
Sumter 427 40
Bartow 419 36
Bibb 413 19
Chatham 401 18
Mitchell 400 32
Lee 344 23
Houston 327 16
Thomas 302 30
Baldwin 298 14
Coweta 291 7
Newton 277 11
Barrow 272 9
Upson 269 33
Colquitt 266 13
Paulding 263 11
Rockdale 253 9
Spalding 251 14
Early 236 29
Lowndes 228 5
Columbia 219 6
Troup 218 7
Whitfield 218 7
Coffee 216 12
Fayette 215 11
Floyd 213 13
Worth 206 20
Butts 205 18
Clarke 205 13
Terrell 205 25
Crisp 204 7
Tift 199 14
Ware 191 13
Walton 187 9
Randolph 171 21
Hancock 167 15
Dooly 163 12
Decatur 141 4
Jackson 137 3
Gordon 134 15
Calhoun 123 6
Gilmer 123 0
Burke 120 4
Stephens 120 2
Appling 116 12
Monroe 109 8
Dawson 99 2
Wilcox 98 13
Laurens 95 1
Macon 94 6
Grady 93 4
White 91 3
Turner 90 12
Lumpkin 88 1
Polk 86 0
Putnam 86 7
Pierce 84 4
Glynn 82 1
Oconee 82 3
Walker 81 0
Harris 78 4
Johnson 78 2
Catoosa 77 0
Meriwether 75 2
Washington 71 1
Bacon 70 2
Elbert 69 0
Murray 69 1
Peach 69 3
Bryan 67 5
Brooks 66 9
Greene 60 7
McDuffie 57 5
Wilkinson 57 3
Oglethorpe 56 5
Echols 54 0
Liberty 54 0
Camden 52 1
Effingham 49 1
Ben Hill 48 1
Marion 48 2
Bulloch 47 2
Dodge 47 2
Toombs 47 4
Banks 46 0
Brantley 46 2
Clinch 46 1
Lamar 46 1
Pike 45 2
Seminole 41 2
Stewart 40 0
Fannin 39 1
Pickens 39 3
Union 39 1
Cook 38 2
Pulaski 38 2
Miller 37 0
Franklin 35 1
Haralson 35 2
Morgan 34 0
Baker 33 2
Bleckley 33 0
Jones 32 0
Madison 32 1
Talbot 32 1
Clay 31 2
Wilkes 30 1
Berrien 29 0
Telfair 29 1
Charlton 28 1
Jeff Davis 27 1
Atkinson 26 2
Emanuel 26 2
Hart 26 0
Jasper 26 1
Jefferson 26 1
Crawford 23 0
Heard 23 2
Irwin 23 1
Taylor 22 2
Towns 21 1
Chattahoochee 20 0
Dade 20 1
Screven 20 1
Chattooga 19 2
Schley 17 1
Warren 17 0
Jenkins 16 1
Lincoln 15 1
Rabun 15 1
Wayne 15 0
Tattnall 13 0
Candler 12 0
Lanier 12 2
McIntosh 11 0
Webster 11 1
Twiggs 10 0
Wheeler 9 0
Long 8 1
Montgomery 8 0
Quitman 8 1
Treutlen 8 0
Evans 5 0
Glascock 1 0
Taliaferro 1 0
CVS opening 23 new drive-thru testing sites
Gov. Brian Kemp announced that CVS on Friday will open 23 new drive-thru testing sites in Georgia.
Those new sites, and all the others already operating in the state, can be found on the CVS website.
"Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 22 to schedule an appointment," a release said. "Patients will be required to stay in their cars and directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions, and a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self swab process to ensure it is done properly."
Things to know for Thursday, May 21
- The state Department of Public Health acknowledged Wednesday its count of COVID-19 tests also includes antibody tests, a practice experts say can be misleading about overall testing.
- If you're still wondering about getting a test done, see how it went for our Reveal Investigator Brendan Keefe.
- One of the largest health systems in the state announced it would be instituting temporary furloughs for more than 1,000 workers, as hospitals struggle with many people staying away for non-COVID reasons.
- Vice President Mike Pence will be in Georgia on Friday, visiting Gov. Brian Kemp and restaurant industry executives.
MORE CORONAVIRUS CASES