Georgia’s 26 deaths – more than Florida and all but 5 other states
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ordered all bars and nightclubs to shut down to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 shortly before the state announced the total number of positive tests had grown to 800 as of Monday night.
Coronavirus deaths in Georgia increased to 26 — more deaths than Florida and all but five other states in the nation.
Monday’s caseload update of 800 positives includes the first positive diagnosis in Pierce County in Southeast Georgia. (A patient diagnosed with COVID-19 at Southeast Georgia Health Services’ Camden campus is a Charlton County resident).
There the number of cases in Glynn County remains at four.
RELATED: Voluntary curfew begins in Camden County
Metro Atlanta still accounts for the largest overall number of cases, with Fulton County reporting more than 152 infections and at least two deaths from the new virus.
In southwest Georgia, Albany and surrounding Dougherty County have ordered residents to stay home unless they’re going to work, buying food, seeking medical care or exercising. The county has reported six deaths and 69 cases and neighboring Lee County has 19. Infections in Bartow County northwest of Atlanta have surpassed 60, with one death and DeKalb County has 74 positive cases.
If those testing positive in Georgia, 59% were between 18- and 59-years-old, with 36% age 60 and up and 1% 17 or younger.
Despite the growing outbreak, Georgia Republicans held county conventions across the state Saturday for meetings that are part of the process for electing delegates to the Republican National Convention, where President Donald Trump is expected to be nominated later this year. GOP leaders in Georgia had discouraged attendance beyond the minimum number of people required.
“The meetings were safely and quickly held, conducting the minimum ne