CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. — Eleven confirmed COVID-19 cases are all tied to one event in one local town, officials confirmed Sunday.
Channel 2′s Justin Gray was in Carrollton, where the city will no longer allow large gatherings to try and prevent the spread of the virus.
City officials told Gray they felt like they had to take emergency action Sunday night.
"When we got the numbers yesterday, where there were 11 cases from one gathering, then we knew we had to act immediately," Mayor Betty Cason said.
The new ordinance bans gatherings of more than 10 people and makes it law in Carrollton to keep six feet of social distance. It also closes restaurants and bars for anything except takeout.
"Grocery stores will still be open. Convenience stores, hardware stores," City Manager Tom Grizzard said. "People will still be able to go out and purchase essential things."
Carrollton City officials and the state health department are not releasing the location of the COVID-19 hotspot, but say local health officials are contacting the people who’ve been exposed.
The ordinance does apply to things like church services and funerals.
Earlier this month, we showed you how Tanner Medical Center in Carroll County was preparing for an influx of patients. County officials said they believe they’ve had cases for two weeks but are just now getting test results back.
"To think that 11 might be from one situation is frightening," Gizzard said. 'It just shows how important it is for us to follow these practices that have been cited."
The new ordinance goes into effect immediately.
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