GA Coronavirus: 28K Cases On Weekend After Shelter-In-Place Ends

GEORGIA — Georgia's cases of the new coronavirus increased by 1,081 and deaths by 25 from noon Friday to noon Saturday, the second day after the shelter-in-place order expired for many Georgia residents. According to the latest Georgia Department of Public Health data, there are 28,215 confirmed cases and 1,172 deaths.

As of mid-day Saturday, 174,800 tests have been conducted, up 6,433 from the last update on Friday. Gov. Georgia Brian 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.

Of the 5,367 total hospitalizations among positive cases, 1,242 are intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. These reflect information at the time cases were reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Fulton County leads the state with 2,924 cases, followed by DeKalb County with 2,133, Gwinnett County with 1,920, Cobb County with 1,749, Hall County with 1,637 and Dougherty County with 1,534. Dougherty County, though, has the highest death count at 124, followed by 122 in Fulton County and 96 in Cobb County.

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. "Healthcare 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."

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Georgia's shelter-in-place order expired at the end of April 30 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.

SEE ALSO:

• COVID-19 Still Spreading In GA — But The Curve Is Flattening
• Gov. Kemp Urging Georgians to Wear Face Coverings In Public
• Model Projects 23K GA Deaths If Coronavirus Limits End In 4 Weeks
• GA Shelter-In-Place, State Of Emergency Orders Updated By Kemp
• Reopening Guidelines Released For Salons, Spas: GA Coronavirus
• GA Coronavirus: Reopening Guidelines Released For Restaurants