ATLANTA — Here is the latest coronavirus blog for April 17.
Below is an archive
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The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of 7 p.m., there are now more than 16,000 confirmed cases of the virus with more than 600 deaths reported. Scroll to read more.
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:
- 617 deaths from the novel coronavirus in Georgia
- 16,368 confirmed cases across the state
- Statewide shelter-in-place order in effect until April 30
- All public schools in Georgia closed through the end of the school year
- Public Health Emergency now in effect until May 13
Thursday, April 16
Confirmed cases surpass 16,000 with 617 deaths
The number of positive coronavirus cases in Georgia has now pushed pass 16,000, with 16,368 cases of COVID-19 being reported. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that 617 people have now died from the virus, with another 3,260 people hospitalized.
Fulton (1945), Dougherty (1358), DeKalb (1260) and Cobb (1014) counties are reporting more than 1,000 cases each, with Gwinnett reporting just over 900 cases.
There are only two counties remaining out of the 159 in Georgia who have not yet recorded a case.
Here's the county-by-county breakdown:
County - Cases - Deaths
Fulton 1945 66
Dougherty 1358 88
Dekalb 1260 21
Cobb 1014 49
Gwinnett 917 32
Hall 526 5
Clayton 473 13
Henry 330 5
Sumter 292 14
Lee 267 15
Carroll 258 7
Cherokee 245 8
Bartow 240 22
Richmond 231 9
Douglas 209 6
Muscogee 200 4
Mitchell 193 22
Bibb 179 1
Chatham 170 5
Forsyth 169 5
Houston 158 9
Early 148 8
Upson 143 6
Coweta 142 3
Terrell 137 12
Randolph 135 11
Fayette 126 5
Paulding 123 5
Floyd 122 6
Spalding 122 5
Newton 115 3
Worth 114 4
Thomas 112 14
Rockdale 111 6
Colquitt 105 5
Crisp 104 1
Clarke 102 12
Baldwin 100 2
Columbia 87 0
Barrow 81 3
Lowndes 79 3
Tift 79 4
Troup 77 4
Ware 76 5
Coffee 72 3
Dooly 64 4
Calhoun 59 2
Habersham 57 2
Walton 56 3
Decatur 55 0
Gordon 50 5
Pierce 49 2
Turner 49 1
Glynn 45 0
Oconee 45 0
Jackson 43 1
Macon 42 0
Greene 40 1
Dawson 39 2
Butts 38 0
Laurens 38 1
Burke 35 2
Mcduffie 35 2
Meriwether 35 0
Harris 34 1
Whitfield 34 3
Wilcox 34 0
Johnson 33 1
Oglethorpe 32 1
Bryan 30 2
Peach 30 2
Pike 28 1
Polk 28 0
Stephens 28 0
Camden 26 0
Grady 26 1
Liberty 26 0
Effingham 24 1
Bulloch 23 1
Washington 23 0
Brooks 22 2
Lamar 21 0
Seminole 21 1
Marion 20 0
Miller 20 0
White 20 0
Clay 19 2
Dodge 19 0
Haralson 19 1
Lumpkin 19 0
Morgan 19 0
Baker 18 2
Catoosa 18 0
Wilkinson 18 1
Appling 17 0
Bacon 17 1
Murray 17 0
Toombs 17 2
Brantley 16 1
Pulaski 16 1
Jones 15 0
Monroe 15 1
Pickens 15 2
Talbot 15 1
Fannin 14 0
Madison 14 1
Putnam 14 0
Schley 14 1
Banks 13 0
Irwin 13 0
Telfair 13 0
Walker 13 0
Crawford 12 0
Emanuel 12 0
Jenkins 12 1
Stewart 12 0
Cook 11 1
Jefferson 11 1
Screven 11 1
Taylor 11 3
Wilkes 11 0
Ben Hill 10 0
Berrien 10 0
Franklin 10 0
Jasper 10 0
Towns 10 0
Warren 10 0
Chattooga 9 1
Lincoln 9 0
Gilmer 8 0
Union 8 1
Clinch 7 0
Dade 7 1
Elbert 7 0
Rabun 7 0
Wayne 7 0
Chattahoochee 6 0
Hancock 6 0
Lanier 6 1
Charlton 5 0
Hart 5 0
Heard 5 1
Tattnall 5 0
Atkinson 4 0
Candler 4 0
Mcintosh 4 0
Twiggs 4 0
Webster 4 0
Bleckley 3
Echols 3 0
Jeff Davis 3 0
Quitman 3 1
Wheeler 3 0
Evans 2 0
Long 2 0
Montgomery 2 0
Treutlen 1 0
Unknown 212 0
Non-Georgia Resident 724 6
*Based on patient county of residence when known
Marietta City Schools use buses as WiFi hotspots for students
To help students stay connected while digital learning during the remainder of the school year, Marietta City Schools said it would be using buses as WiFi hotspots.
The buses will be at the following locations from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.
1 MCS15-36 - LAUREL HILLS APT
2 MCS15-37 - LASSITER DR @ HALSEY DR
3 MCS16-42 - 555 LITTLE ST DWELLS APT
4 MCS16-43 - CLIFTON RIDGE APT
5 MCS16-45 - CLUSTER PARK
6 MCS16-46 - ROOSEVELT CIR
7 MCS16-47 - 750 FRANKLIN GTWY DWELLS APT
8 MCS16-48 - 2121 WINDY HILL RD THE PARC APT
9 MCS16-49 - BOOTH RD PARK
10 MCS16-50 - ELIZABETH PORTER PARK
11 MCS16-51 - LAUREL PARK
12 MCS16-54 - 07 FRANKLIN GTWY LIBERTY POINT APT
Testing ramped up at Jim Miller Park in Cobb County
Officials say testing has been expanding and ramped up at the Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. The expanded hours and new criteria do not require a doctor’s referral.
Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and who are considered vulnerable, elderly, healthcare workers, first responders or other critical infrastructure workers will continue to get priority. However, those without symptoms, but may have been exposed to the virus and are healthcare workers, first responders, critical infrastructure workers will be tested as capacity allows.
Testing is still by appointment only.
Gov. Kemp tours nearly-completed alternate care facility at GWCC
Gov. Brian Kemp toured the nearly-completed alternate care facility today at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The state of Georgia has entered into a contract with the Virginia-based supply firm PAE to build a 200-hospital bed alternate care facility at the Georgia World Congress Center.
“Across Georgia, we have partnered with existing healthcare infrastructure to greatly expand our surge capacity, and now we have a dedicated team building out a temporary facility at the Georgia World Congress Center for potential COVID-19 patient surge,” Kemp said on Sunday.
Atlanta solicitor: There are options to handle citations during the pandemic
While the City of Atlanta Municipal Court may be closed to the public, the city's solicitor reminded that there are still options available to resolve traffic citations.
One of the main ways, according to Solicitor Raines F. Carter is through the Office of the City Solicitor PreTrial Diversion (PTIT).
The PTIT programs allows the opportunity to avoid points on a driver's license and other negative consequences of a traffic violation.
To learn more about PTIT, go to www.AtlantaGa.gov/PITT, email at PTIT@ATLANTAGA.GOV, or call at 404.658.6163.
Please provide the citation number and contact information. If the citation has already been paid, this option will not be available.
DOJ grants $1.6 million for public safety in response to COVID-19 in Georgia
The Department of Justice for the Middle District of Georgia says that more than $1.6 million in federal grant money has been made available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program to fight the coronavirus in the state.
"Each community will have the opportunity to use this emergency funding to help address their most urgent public safety challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler.
The grants were made available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump.
The law gives jurisdictions the leeway to use the funds as they see fit, including hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas and addressing inmates’ medical needs.
The money has been allocated to specifically help areas of Georgia hardest hit by the spread of the disease, including Albany, Americus, Athens-Clarke County, Baldwin County, Columbus, Dougherty County, Houston County, Lowndes County, Macon-Bibb County, Monroe, Sumter County, Tift County, Tifton, Valdosta, Walton County and Warner Robins.
Fulton County Schools to distribute meals one day a week
Fulton County Schools will go to a one-day-a-week schedule for meal distribution, giving all five days' worth of meals to students in one swoop.
The school district did that yesterday for this week, a move that was driven by new guidance for district employees who have been working sites distributing the meals to wear masks.
The 21 sites at which meals are distributed will do so on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Confirmed cases in Georgia now at 15,669 with 587 deaths
The Georgia Department of Health announced new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. As of Noon, there are 15,669 confirmed cases of the virus and 587 deaths reported. This is up from the 15,260 confirmed cases and 576 deaths that they announced on Wednesday evening.
Of the 15,669 confirmed cases, 1929 are in Fulton, 1247 are in DeKalb, 1338 are in Dougherty, 990 are in Cobb and 896 are in Gwinnett. In all, there are cases reported in 157 counties (144 cases are listed as unknown counties). There are 707 cases listed as "non-Georgia residents." For a breakdown by county, view the 11Alive interactive map.
They said 3,108 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19.
Of the confirmed cases, 1 percent are between the ages of 0-17, while 61 percent are 18-59 years old, 35 percent are over 60 and 3 percent are unknown. 54 percent are female, and 44 percent are male.
In total, 63,581 tests were conducted at commercial labs, reporting 14,836 positive cases. At the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 4,358 tests were conducted with 833 positive results.
COUNTY - CASES - DEATHS
Fulton 1929 63
Dougherty 1338 83
Dekalb 1247 18
Cobb 990 47
Gwinnett 896 32
Clayton 468 13
Hall 411 5
Henry 330 5
Sumter 277 14
Lee 265 15
Carroll 243 7
Cherokee 242 8
Bartow 237 21
Douglas 202 6
Muscogee 192 4
Richmond 189 8
Mitchell 183 20
Forsyth 162 5
Chatham 161 5
Houston 154 9
Early 146 6
Coweta 140 3
Upson 139 5
Terrell 137 12
Randolph 134 7
Fayette 124 5
Floyd 121 6
Paulding 121 5
Bibb 118 1
Newton 115 3
Thomas 112 10
Worth 112 4
Rockdale 108 6
Clarke 102 12
Spalding 99 5
Colquitt 98 5
Baldwin 97 2
Crisp 93 1
Columbia 82 0
Tift 78 4
Lowndes 77 3
Troup 75 4
Coffee 71 3
Barrow 70 3
Ware 69 5
Dooly 63 4
Calhoun 59 2
Walton 55 3
Decatur 54 0
Gordon 49 5
Habersham 48 2
Pierce 48 2
Turner 48 1
Oconee 45 0
Glynn 44 0
Greene 39 1
Macon 39 0
Butts 38 0
Dawson 37 2
Jackson 37 1
Laurens 37 1
Wilcox 34 0
Harris 33 1
Whitfield 33 3
Burke 32 2
Mcduffie 31 2
Oglethorpe 31 1
Bryan 30 2
Meriwether 29 0
Peach 28 2
Pike 27 1
Polk 27 0
Camden 26 0
Liberty 26 0
Grady 25 1
Stephens 25 0
Effingham 24 1
Johnson 24 1
Bulloch 23 1
Washington 23 0
Brooks 21 2
Lamar 21 0
Haralson 20 1
Miller 20 0
Seminole 20 1
Dodge 19 0
Catoosa 18 0
Clay 18 2
Appling 17 0
Baker 17 2
Marion 17 0
Morgan 17 0
Toombs 17 2
Wilkinson 17 1
Murray 16 0
Brantley 15 1
Jones 15 0
Pickens 15 2
White 15 0
Bacon 14 1
Fannin 14 0
Madison 14 1
Monroe 14 1
Putnam 14 0
Talbot 14 1
Irwin 13 0
Schley 13 1
Telfair 13 0
Walker 13 0
Jenkins 12 1
Crawford 11 0
Emanuel 11 0
Lumpkin 11 0
Pulaski 11 1
Banks 10 0
Ben Hill 10 0
Cook 10 0
Jasper 10 0
Screven 10 1
Taylor 10 2
Wilkes 10 0
Berrien 9 0
Jefferson 9 1
Lincoln 9 0
Stewart 9 0
Warren 9 0
Chattooga 8 1
Franklin 8 0
Gilmer 8 0
Towns 8 0
Union 8 1
Clinch 7 0
Dade 7 1
Elbert 7 0
Rabun 7 0
Hancock 6 0
Wayne 6 0
Charlton 5 0
Chattahoochee 5 0
Hart 5 0
Heard 5 1
Lanier 5 1
Tattnall 5 0
Candler 4 0
Mcintosh 4 0
Twiggs 4 0
Webster 4 0
Atkinson 3 0
Bleckley 3 0
Echols 3 0
Jeff Davis 3 0
Quitman 3 1
Wheeler 3 0
Evans 2 0
Long 2 0
Montgomery 2 0
Treutlen 1 0
Unknown 144 0
Non-Georgia Resident 707 6
Lyft launches 'essential deliveries' in Atlanta
Lyft announced on Thursday that they launched Essential Deliveries, a pilot initiative where government agencies, local non-profits, businesses and healthcare organizations can request a Lyft driver to transport essentials - groceries, medical supplies, and more - to other businesses and people in need.
"Essential Deliveries was rapidly developed over the past several weeks to meet the increased need for delivery during the current pandemic," they said in a news release.
It is currently available in only 11 markets, including Atlanta, and they said this is a way to help the community, while opening new opportunities for Lyft drivers.
Clayton County Public Schools expands partnership with food bank
Clayton County Public Schools said Thursday they have expanded its partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and will now provide grocery services every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., through May 22, 2020.
Sites hosting the Atlanta Community Food Bank grocery services are Huie Elementary, King Elementary, Tara Elementary, West Clayton Elementary, and Lovejoy High School.
Volunteers are needed every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the five locations to package food items. Additionally, they said volunteers are needed to assist in distributing the food at 8 a.m. every Friday. If you'd like to volunteer, you can email the district at ccpscommunications@clayton.k12.ga.us.
In addition, CCPS will continue to provide free Grab-N-Go Meals at 23 sites. Breakfast and lunch will be served Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Things to know Thursday morning
- Georgia State researchers find promising results with rheumatoid arthritis drug against COVID-19
- Fulton County officials see signs of the curve flattening as they now project hospital capacity will be able to meet the worst peak of the crisis
- A son lost both his parents who were at a South Fulton senior living facility that's been devastated by the outbreak
- Unemployment numbers come out today, and they're expected to be severe yet again
- Getting "Payment Status Not Available" on the IRS stimulus check tracker site? Many others have been, too
MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES