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Coronavirus in Georgia on May 21

Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in the state of Georgia. We break down the data and put it in context.

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.

Click here to read more.

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."

Read the full story.

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.

Read more.

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

MORE CORONAVIRUS CASES

Social distancing 1 week earlier could have saved 36,000 lives in US, study suggests

WHO: Malaria drug Trump taking to fight COVID-19 is best left to tests

5 million cases: World COVID-19 count reaches new milestone

Poll: Support for restrictions lessens; vast majority concerned about second wave

A closer look at COVID-19 cases in Fulton, Cobb counties

Tracking COVID-19: Georgia Coronavirus Interactive map

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