GA Coronavirus: Publix Hours Cut, 66 Cases, Kemp Signs Emergency

ATLANTA, GA — Following a national emergency declaration to combat the new coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday signed Georgia's first public health emergency declaration. As of noon Saturday, one person in Cobb County has died from the respiratory virus, and the number of confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 rose from 42 on Friday to 66 cases in 15 counties.

Several chains, including Publix, announced that hours would be shortened for more cleaning, restocking and the health of employees. Beginning Saturday, Publix Super Markets adjusted company-wide store and pharmacy hours company-wide to close at 8 p.m. nightly until further notice.

Other grocery chains, including Kroger, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, BJ's and Whole Foods, have not announced any changes to hours, though many have announced staff will be doing more cleaning in stores to curb potential coronavirus spread.

Read more: Publix, GA Grocery Store Hours In Flux For Cleaning, Stocking

Kemp urged Georgians to avoid crowds and practice social distancing.

"If a test is negative after experiencing symptoms, that’s not an 'all clear',” Kemp tweeted. "You could still be contagious with other viruses, so continue to use best practices to keep people safe and prevent the spread of #COVID19 or any other respiratory illness."

A growing number of Georgia school districts around metro Atlanta have announced long-term closures amid growing concern over the new coronavirus. Beginning Monday, all University System of Georgia colleges and universities will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks.

Kemp also said Saturday that the state has permission to transfer the Georgians at Dobbins Air Force Base to their homes as soon as possible to self-quarantine. More than 30 residents of the state were on board the Grand Princess cruise ship, and had been quarantined off the coast of California due to the coronavirus.

The state's lone fatality is a 67-year-old man who was hospitalized at WellStar Kennestone after testing positive for COVID-19 on March 7, authorities said. In addition to being infected with coronavirus disease, the victim also had underlying medical conditions, a news release said.

Presumed positive coronavirus cases in Georgia as of Friday morning include: Gordon County, Fulton County, Cherokee County, Floyd County, Polk County, Bartow County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, Fayette County, Coweta County, Lee County, Lowndes County and Charlton County.

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Cobb County has the most cases in the state with 15, followed by Fulton County with 13, DeKalb with eight, Bartow with seven, and Cherokee with five.

See Also: Coronavirus School Closings In Georgia: List

Here's a look at which Georgia school districts have announced closures:

• Forsyth County Schools: For the week of March 16-20, FCS will hold Online Learning Days. On Thursday, March 19, the school system will announce its plans for March 23-27, following a thorough review of the COVID-19 situation at that time.
• Fulton County Schools: Effective Monday, March 16, Fulton County Schools, including all schools and administrative offices, will be closed until further notice.
• Gwinnett County Schools: Friday, March 13, is a scheduled student/teacher holiday for Gwinnett County Public Schools. For the week of March 16-20, GCPS will hold Digital Learning Days. On Thursday, March 19, the school system will announce its plans for March 23-27, following a review of the COVID-19 situation at that time.
• Cobb County Schools: Effective Monday, March 16, Cobb County Schools, including all schools and administrative offices, will be closed until further notice.

• Cherokee County Schools: Cherokee County School District schools and offices will be closed for two weeks from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. CCSD will use Digital Learning Days during this closure to continue teaching and learning.
• DeKalb County Schools: Effective Monday, March 16, DeKalb County Schools, including all schools and administrative offices, will be closed until further notice.
• Atlanta Public Schools: Effective Monday, March 16, Atlanta Public Schools, including all schools and administrative offices, will be closed until further notice.
• Hall County Schools: Beginning Monday, March 16, the Hall County School District will conduct school from home for one week
• Bartow County Schools: Bartow County Schools will be closed to all students and staff March 16, through March 27. Staff, if healthy, should report tomorrow, March 13. Student attendance is optional tomorrow, March 13, and bus routes will operate on a normal schedule.
• Douglas County Schools: All schools and school system offices will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27. All students and employees will return on Monday, March 30.

Globally, more than 153,000 people have been infected and more than 5,800 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Saturday afternoon. Of that total, more than 2,500 confirmed cases are in the United States. There have been 52 deaths in the U.S. have been tied to the virus outbreak.

There was a constant flow of news this week, so Patch rounded up the top coronavirus stories from Georgia:

1. GA Confirms First Coronavirus-Related Death; State Cases Total 31: Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed Thursday afternoon that the first coronavirus-related death in Georgia occurred in Cobb County.
2. GA Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know On Schools, Cases: As of Saturday, one person in GA has died, and 66 confirmed and presumed positive cases of the new coronavirus are in 14 counties.
3. GA Coronavirus: New Cases Confirmed, Patients Quarantined At Park: Gov. Brian Kemp said early Wednesday morning that seven emergency mobile units were deployed to Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan County. Coronavirus patients who aren't able to self-isolate have been sent to the park to stay.
4. Canton Waffle House Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus: A Canton Waffle House has closed Tuesday after an employee tested positive, the business told media outlets.
5. GA Coronavirus: Here's What Colleges Are Telling Students: Effective Monday, all University System of Georgia institutions will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks.
6. Kroger Shares Coronavirus Preparedness Plan For Atlanta: Atlanta Kroger shoppers will have a limit on supplies like hand sanitizing products and cold and flu medications, according to the store.