Coronavirus Updates: Georgia Now Up To 10 Reported Deaths

Updated Thursday at 5:50 p.m.

Georgia’s death toll from the coronavirus jumped to 10 on Thursday as state health officials also reported a big increase in the number of confirmed infections statewide.

The update from Georgia Department of Public Health more than doubled the number of deaths in the state, which had stood at four Wednesday. The agency said confirmed coronavirus cases now stand at 287 — up from 197 the day before.

No other details were provided about where the new deaths occurred. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Emory Healthcare in Atlanta had reported a death. The patient died “despite the heroic efforts of our physicians, nurses and care team,” Emory said in a statement. No other details were released.

Health officials also announced Wednesday that two women had died from the virus in Dougherty County. They were ages 42 and 69, and both had underlying medical conditions, the Georgia Department of Public Health said in a news release.

State officials confirmed Wednesday that two COVID-19 patients died in southwest Georgia, one of the hardest-hit areas outside metro Atlanta from the global outbreak.

No More Dining Out In Atlanta

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has signed an Executive Order to even further limit public gatherings in Atlanta due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new executive order limits restaurants to take out service only. Atlanta bars and gyms have been ordered to close.

To ease parking and booting concerns, Mayor Bottoms said in a tweet Thursday, that she has signed an Executive Order suspending towing and booting of vehicles in the city’s right of way.

The new law takes effect at midnight.

Traffic Decreases By 20-40%, GDOT Says

Traffic during rush hour on Atlanta interstates has been down by 20 to 40%, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

In a presentation to the GDOT Board Thursday, Commissioner Russell McMurray said that’s a good sign.

“People are heeding the messaging of staying home,” he said.

McMurray said he has also heard from transit agencies around the state that their ridership numbers are down.

MARTA’s CEO Jeff Parker told WABE earlier this week that its ridership is down 40 percent, and SRTA is reducing Xpress transit service.

All YMCAs Are Closed, But They’re Still Here To Help

All of the YMCAs in metro Atlanta are closed; no gyms, no classes, no regular childcare. So the YMCA of Metro Atlanta is working with local hospitals to provide childcare for medical workers involved in responding to the new coronavirus.

More than a dozen branches will open up, mostly for children from Kindergarten through 5th grade, though some will include Pre-K, too.

The YMCA is coordinating with hospitals, including Emory, WellStar, Northside and Piedmont.

The Y is also helping with food distribution, not just for hospital employees. A handful of branches are providing meals and snacks to children under 18, and the organization is working with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to expand food pantries.

Publix Establishes Senior Hours

Publix is joining the growing list of grocery stores dedicating specific hours for seniors to shop.

The grocery chain says beginning next week, customers 65 and over will be welcomed on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7-8 a.m.

Whole Foods is reserving the 7 a.m. hour for customers 60 and older.

Target is following suit on Wednesday’s, reserving the first hour for seniors and others with underlying health problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people over the age of 65 are at increased risk of complications from the coronavirus.

Kennesaw Mountain Is Still Open

The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Park officials said visitors can hike the mountain trail but should use social distancing as recommended by the CDC. That’s a minimum of six feet apart.

All park public restrooms are closed, however.

Cars and cyclists are banned from the trail until further notice.

Georgia Farmers Worry About Workforce

The coronavirus pandemic is causing a delay in the processing of H-2 agricultural guest worker visas.

That has Georgia farmers worried that their South and Central American workforce may not get to their farms in time.

Gerome Crosby, head of the Georgia Blueberry commodities Commission, said harvest season is starting in the Southeast.

“If we deny those workers to come to our country and we don’t have them here to harvest our food, then you will not have food on your shelves from America,” he said.

Crosby solicited the help of U.S. Reps. Doug Collins and Austin Scott. They wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking him to speed up the agriculture visas for Georgia farmers.

Virus Taxes UPS

With people isolating themselves from public interaction, getting the necessities often means ordering online. That has Atlanta-based UPS especially busy — and busy fielding questions.

Questions, like, can a cardboard box transmit coronavirus?

The answer? Not easily, UPS said.

When not fielding customer inquiries about boxes, the delivery giant said it’s reminding its employees about the basics– like good handwashing skills and cleanliness techniques. And stay home if sick.

UPS said it’s able to partner with governments across the globe, allowing it to access people who would otherwise be cut off because of isolation mandates.

Finally, the company has put together a COVID-19 specific website so those expecting a package… or shipping one out… will be able to keep up to date.