State: 6 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 16 presumptive cases; WHO declares pandemic

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday night that there are five new presumptive cases of COVID-19, the coronavirus, across the state.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic.

Here’s the breakdown of the cases:

Confirmed COVID-19 (6)

• Fulton County 3
• Floyd County 1
• Polk County 1
• Cobb 1

Presumptive Positive COVID-19 (16)

• Fulton 3
• Cobb 6
• Fayette 1
• DeKalb 2
• Gwinnett 2
• Cherokee 1
• Charlton 1

This comes as health officials warned Georgia residents there would likely be more cases of coronavirus across the state.

[First coronavirus patient transferred to isolation site at Georgia state park]

"As the cases become more numerous across the country, we are definitely going to see more cases here in Georgia," Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday in a news conference. "We are ready."

Kemp urged some key points that he wants all Georgians to follow:

• Wash your hands
• Avoid contact with your face and eyes.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Get a flu shot.

Kemp said state officials are taking measures to help the most vulnerable communities being impacted by the virus: the elderly and those with chronic conditions.

[Metro Atlanta Waffle House employee tests positive for coronavirus]

He urged those people to following these measures:

• If you are sick, do not go to work.
• Do not attend large events, you will put others at risk.
• If you are elderly or have underlying chronic conditions, avoid large events and stay away from loved ones and friends who are sick.

Federal officials are urging these vulnerable populations to avoid travel to avoid hot zones and avoid cruise ship travel all together.

© 2020 Cox Media Group