Rapid rise in number of positive Covid-19 cases and deaths. Some city mayors, dissatisfied with the seeming lack of realization of what is happening by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), are forced to act autonomously. In contrast, other mayors are resistant to state directives regarding closures. Nursing shortage exists in the state and is anticipated to exacerbate. At least one child in GA is infected and on respirator.
Mounting political pressure from many directions that produces conflict and confusion throughout the state and has greater impact on the helter-skelter response to the threat of Covid-19 response than does the disease itself.
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Georgia Department of Public Health Statistics
Updates Now Issued at Noon and 7:00 PM
3/3/2020 First day of reporting 3 cases, 0 deaths
3/12/2020 First death reported 1 death
3/17/2020 Second week 146 cases, 1 death
3/22/2020 First 7:00 PM update 620 cases, 25 deaths (19th day into reporting)
3/23/2020 Noon report 772 cases, 25 deaths (15 hours post previous report)
Discussion
Highest rate of infection remains, since the beginning of published GPH recordings, in the 18-59 Age Group, standing at 59%, up from 46% four days ago. No significant increases in other age demographics.
Overall Death Rate: 3.5% (as compared to Wuhan’s overall death rate of 1.4%)
Males and females equally infected at 50/50%
Total Tests Performed: 5,096
Total Positives: 772
Total Commercial Labs: 3,824 # of Positives: 608
Total GPH Lab: 1,245 # of Positives: 164
Three counties lead the state in known residence cases: Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb
State of GA Covid-19 Hotline:
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News You Can Use
(Gov.) Kemp painted a bleak picture of Georgia in the coronavirus era: children indefinitely out of school, adults isolated from their workplaces, public gatherings that are “few and far between.”
. . .“looming supply shortages” at some hospitals, Kemp said the state would start conserving “precious medical supplies” — including protective gear for health care workers treating potentially infected patients.
AJC
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told the city council on Monday that she is ready to issue a stay-at-home order, but has been asked by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to hold off until his 5 p.m. press conference.
The businesses affected are bars, nightclubs, restaurants with dine-in service only, barbers, hairdressers, nail salons, spas, and entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, movie theaters and live performance venues.
Not affected are grocery stores, restaurants with take-out or delivery services, banks, convenience stores and laundromats. Curbside, drive-through and take-out service at restaurants will be permitted to continue, including alcoholic beverages in sealed containers. Augusta Chronicle