Coronavirus: Johns Creek Council Adopts Emergency Ordinance

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The City of Johns Creek Council unanimously adopted an Emergency Ordinance at a special called meeting on Wednesday. The ordinance ensures the mayor and city council can "fully address the public emergency created by the COVID-19 global pandemic affecting the life, health, property, and public peace within the city."

“The city council and city employees are committed to the people of Johns Creek,” City Manager Ed Densmore said. “The adoption of this emergency ordinance will preserve our ability to maintain that commitment to safety and service. The authority granted in this ordinance will be used only as necessary to slow the spread of the virus and to avoid overwhelming city services and the local healthcare system.”

In accordance with the adopted ordinance the city council will be able to hold meetings and vote via teleconference. Any and all actions taken during these meetings shall be reported to the public through the city’s website. The city council work session and meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23 have been cancelled. Additionally, the occupational tax payment deadline of March 31 has been extended through Sunday, May 31.

The actions taken in the emergency ordinance shall be in effect for 30 days from the date of adoption, with the option to extend the regulations after reevaluation by the mayor and city council.

Following recommendations from the public health emergency declared by Gov. Brian Kemp, the city has already enacted temporary facility closures, operational changes, and the suspension of certain meetings and events until further notice. The City of Johns Creek encourages the public to continue to follow guidance as it is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional information on the city’s response and prevention efforts can be found on the city website.

See more: Johns Creek: What's Open, Closed Amid Coronavirus Concerns

GA Senator Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Lt. Gov. Isolates

State Senator Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, said on Wednesday that he tested positive for coronavirus. Beach was at the Georgia Capitol on Monday for the special session.

He will now be in a 14-day quarantine at home. Beach released a statement:

"After experiencing a fever and cough, I sought medical attention last week. The diagnosis I was given was not coronavirus, but I did get tested for it on Saturday. With medication, I felt better by Monday and thought I was in the clear. Today, however, my test came back positive.

For now, I'm at home. I continue to suffer from a fever and cough, but I'm following doctor's orders, including the admonition to stay away from the hospital unless it becomes difficult to breathe. I know many Georgians are praying hard as we weather this crisis together, and frankly, I'd ask that they pray for me, as well as all the others in our state who are going through this right now – and those who soon will.

I know I face a difficult two weeks, but I'll work to keep everyone updated on my progress. With the support of my wife – who is keeping a safe distance and so far doesn't have symptoms – and my family and friends, I know I'll get through this and get back to work for my constituents."

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan released a statement Wednesday that said he will be in self-quarantine due to the positive test results from Beach.

GA Coronavirus: 10 Deaths, 287 Cases; Emergency Ordinances Set

New numbers released Thursday from the Georgia Department of Public Health show there have been 10 deaths and 287 cases of coronavirus across the state.

With the new cases, the DPH released the numbers of tests taken across the state, which totaled more than 1,800.

There have been 1,323 tests done in a commercial lab, with 174 coming in positive. The Department of Public Health Lab has done 508 tests, and had 113 positives.

The number of confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 rose from 197 on Wednesday to 287 cases in 28 counties on Thursday.

Fulton County has the most cases in the state with 66, followed by Cobb County with 37, Bartow with 26, DeKalb with 22, Dougherty with 20, Cherokee with 16, Gwinnett with 12, Fayette with nine, and Clarke with eight.

Globally, more than 222,000 people have been infected and more than 9,100 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Thursday. Of that total, more than 9,400 confirmed cases are in the United States. There have been 150 deaths in the U.S. have been tied to the virus outbreak, as of Thursday morning.