Coronavirus In Canton-Sixes: Latest Updates, Closures

CANTON, GA —The state of Georgia has reported more than 700 new cases of the coronavirus Thursday, and 24 more deaths.

Across the state, now 5,348 patients have been confirmed sick with the coronavirus. Of those, 1,056, almost 20 percent, are sick enough to require emergency treatment at the hospital. A total of 163 people have died.

Of the counties in Georgia, Fulton has the most cases with 712 and 22 deaths. It is followed by Dougherty which is reporting 507 cases and 29 deaths, and then Dekalb which has seen 396 people sickened and six deaths.

Cherokee County cases

Cherokee County is reporting 92 cases of the coronavirus and four deaths. The victims were all patients older than 60 with underlying health conditions. Doctors say both patients over 60 and those with related respiratory issues are the people with the highest risk. The deceased in Cherokee County have been identified as:

New directory for open or closed businesses

There's been widespread confusion over what is and isn't closed by the coronavirus pandemic. To help, Patch has set up a simple open-or-closed directory to help business owners share their status with customers.

Businesses who want to report their status can find more information here. We're going to publish the directory on Patch, in our local email newsletters and on our local Facebook pages to ensure that as many community members as possible know the status of your business.

Meanwhile customers who want to know if their favorite local businesses are still up and running can find the directory here.

Schools go online for the rest of the year

After initially closing all schools until March 31, Gov Kemp has now extended the closure of all public schools in Georgia to close schools through the end of this school year. All classes will be finished through remote learning only.

The University System of Georgia has also announced that all 26 of its schools will be going online for the rest of the semester.

Cherokee County School System Resources:

• Technology support: If the Cherokee County School System laptop your child is using is not working properly, check our help page at https://bit.ly/DLDfaq; if you still need assistance, please ask your child's teacher to make a technology help desk request.
• Canvas support: For help, first check our webpage at https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content2/canvas for answers; if you still need assistance, email our Canvas help desk staff at canvas.support@cherokeek12.net
• #CCSDserves To-Go Meals: Distribution is scheduled to continue on Mondays through April 20; the full list of sites and schedule of delivery times is posted at http://bit.ly/CCSDserves
• Support #CCSDserves: You can donate by check, mailed in with the form at http://bit.ly/CCSDdonate (staff signatures not required); online by credit card at http://bit.ly/CCSDgiveonline or by transferring unspent funds in your child's account using the form at http://bit.ly/CCSDpayfwd (choose "Pay It Forward" and email it to us).
• MUST Ministries at CCSD Schools: MUST Ministries is distributing food from its pantries at Cherokee HS, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy and Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy to families already served by those programs. If you're not participating in one of those programs, please contact MUST (https://www.mustministries.org/) about picking up food from its main pantry in Canton.
• The district is continuously updating its webpage at https://www.cherokeek12.net/content/bulletin-board with information and resources.

Other local news, closures and changes

• Canton City Council held an Emergency Meeting by teleconference voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Bill Grant to sign an Emergency Declaration which includes a Shelter in Place Order.
• The City is postponing all non-essential public meetings. The City Council will continue to have its regular monthly meetings and meetings that are required due to ordinance processes will continue. Monthly meetings by City boards, commissions and authorities that are not required will be postponed for the next several weeks. Regarding City Council meetings, the agendas including all documentation for each meeting are available on the City's website as well as a link to watch meetings by internet live or post meeting in a recorded format. If the public would like to participate in public comment on items on the agenda, but do not wish to attend, they can always provide the comments via email at TellUs@cantonga.gov. These comments will be distributed to the Mayor and Council.
• Municipal Court trials scheduled for March 25 will be reset for April 22.
• The City will not disconnect utility services during the next 30 days.
• The City will waive late fees on utility payments during the next 30 days.
• The City encourages payment for services to be made online via the Cantonga.gov website, setting up convenient and cost-free autodrafts, or submitting payments through the drop box located at 110 Academy Street.
• The Utility Department staff will continue to serve customers using non-face-to-face forms of business communication during this time. Customers may reach the Utility Department by calling 770-704-1502. New utility service can be started online here. Applications to discontinue services can be started online here. You may always visit the City website at cantonga.gov for more information. Customers may pay their utility bills online, call the utility department for instructions to set up autodraft from checking accounts, or utilize the drive up drop box at 110 Academy Street. The City will waive all penalties and will not disconnect services through April 15 due to the COVID19 Pandemic.
• The City of Canton Roll-off Site for Residents will remain open as normal from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (closed 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch). If you utilize this site, hold your drivers license up to the inside of the window for our attendant. We will not be assisting in unloading vehicles.
• The Municipal Court office is available by phone at 770-704-1546 and citations may be paid online here. Court dates for March are being reset for April. Those cases impacted will receive a letter from the Municipal Court with additional information.
• Business Licenses may be renewed online here and you may reach the Community Service Customer Counter by phone at 770-704-1517. For information on Building Inspections and Permits, visit here.
• Individuals that need an accident report from the Police Department may do so here. For emergencies or to file a report, contact 911. For all other items, call 770-720-4883 or email pdinfo@cantonga.gov.
• For all other services, reach out to the main number at 770-704-1500 or utilize our website cantonga.gov. You may also email at TellUs@cantonga.gov.