GA Man With Coronavirus Hospitalized After Refusing To Quarantine

HARALSON COUNTY, GA — A Georgia man who refused instructions to self-quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus has now been hospitalized, according to the Haralson County Sheriff's Office. The man, who lives in the Tallapoosa area, was told to stay home but went out in public, the sheriff's office said.

The Haralson County Sheriff's Office was made aware of the man after he tested positive for the coronavirus but refused to self-quarantine. The man's identity was not disclosed for privacy reasons.

"This male went out into the public endangering citizens after being told to stay inside. The male has now been hospitalized for COVID-19," the Haralson County Sheriff's Office said Sunday in a Facebook post.

Haralson County Sheriff Chief Deputy Joel McSwain and Cpl. B. Mullenix "were on scene during this incident today and were taking all precautions," the sheriff's office said.

Haralson County, located west of Atlanta on the Alabama border, has 10 reported cases of the coronavirus and no deaths as of Sunday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a shelter-in-place order for the state that went into effect on Friday at 6 p.m. The order expires April 13, at 11:59 p.m. People caught not complying with the order could be punished with a fine or misdemeanor.

The Haralson County Sheriff's Office said the man's girlfriend had refused to be tested. A judge signed an order for the woman to stay quarantined, but she allegedly refused to comply. For reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, the woman ended up being hospitalized Sunday, according to the sheriff's office.

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"It is vital that citizens who are diagnosed with or are exposed to this virus do the right thing and self quarantine," Chief Deputy McSwain said Sunday in a statement. “If you go out you could infect others who have to be out working. We must protect our citizens.”

The sheriff's office said the Tallapoosa Police Department, Ambucare, the Haralson County Fire Department/Emergency Management and the Georgia State Patrol provided assistance in getting the man and the woman to the hospital.

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