Kemp Warns Of Potential For Another GA Coronavirus Outbreak

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp is warning of another potential outbreak across Georgia. On Tuesday he visited, Albany’s main hospital, which had so many sick patients that nurses were told to continue working even if they tested positive for COVID-19, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The governor made an appearance to thank the efforts that had been made to contain the virus in southwest Georgia. He also toured a 24-bed mobile hospital unit on site.

“I want to thank the community and the community leaders for, as the chairman said, kicking the virus’ ass and flattening the curve,” said Kemp, referring to a remark by Dougherty County Commission Chair Scott Cohitas. “It has certainly kicked us, but I’m grateful for how hard people have worked to fight this invisible enemy.”

As of noon Tuesday, the coronavirus outbreak in Georgia included 47 more deaths, the Georgia Department of Public Health released in its daily report. The updated numbers reflect an increase of nearly 400 new cases from noon Monday, bringing the total to 29,560 coronavirus cases statewide and a total of 1,258 deaths.

Of the 5,574 total hospitalizations among positive cases, 1,303 are intensive care unit admissions. These reflect information at the time cases were reported to the state health department.

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Fulton County leads the state with 3,069 cases, followed by DeKalb County with 2,259, Gwinnett County with 2,068, Cobb County with 1,856, Hall County with 1,798 and Dougherty County with 1,544. Fulton has the highest death count at 129, followed by Dougherty County with 126 and Cobb County with 101.

The public health website provides graphs of cumulative cases and deaths over time. Numbers over the last 14 days may be incomplete due to cases not yet reported as well as pending test results.

"A confirmed case is defined as a person who has tested positive for 2019 novel coronavirus," says the Georgia Department of Health. "Health care providers diagnose patients with COVID-19 and they, along with laboratories, report the COVID-19 cases to the Georgia DPH. These numbers are preliminary and may change as more information is gathered on a person under investigation."

As of midday Tuesday, 200,814 tests have been conducted. Kemp said Friday the number of tests reported doubled in the last week. The state's one-day high was 20,675 tests reported on April 30. Public health has provided a map of testing locations around the state.

Georgia's shelter-in-place order expired Thursday for all but several high-risk groups. These individuals, including residents 65 and older, are ordered to shelter in place through June 12. Although many residents are no longer under a shelter-in-place order, Kemp urged them "to stay home whenever possible."

Certain businesses are allowed to operate while following restrictions through May 13. Kemp also extended the public health state of emergency through June 12 to continue increasing testing, boost contact tracing, and continue emergency response operations.

Globally, more than 3.4 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 252,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Tuesday at noon. In the U.S., more than 1.1 million people have been infected and over 70,000 people have died from COVID-19.