CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: COVID-19 testing now available at some early voting locations

ATLANTA — ATLANTA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, May 27: (Click here for the previous day)

Have questions about the spread of coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

• The state’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is up to 44,638 and 1,933 deaths as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Georgia Department of Public Health says it will update its website with new data at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• The City of Lilburn has postponed its July 4th event, Sparkle in the Park. “We’re disappointed, as we know many members of the community will be, that we have to postpone our annual July 4th celebration,” said City Manager Bill Johnsa. “We believe this is the best decision due to the current situation. Postponing will allow us to revisit the event at a later date, and make a decision based on the information available at that time.”
• Georgia Power recently provided a $5,000 donation to Cobb & Douglas County Department of Public Health to support local families facing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was able to assist 450 families with over 10 pounds of fresh produce from two local farms, Gilliam’s Community Garden & Mobile Farmers Market and West Georgia Produce.
• Fulton County added COVID-19 testing at three more early voting sites: South Fulton Service Center, Garden Hills Slementary and the Sandy Springs library. No appointment is needed to get a test. MORE HERE.
• Restaurant owners in the city of Tucker can now get a permit to allow for outdoor dining. It’s a new step to help ensure social distancing as restaurants reopen.
• A metro Atlanta doctor has found a creative solution so that hard of hearing people can communicate with those wearing masks. A California company is making masks with clear plastic panels that allow people with a hearing loss to “see” people speak—and also tell if they’re happy or sad.
• More than 5.6 million people worldwide -- including more than 1.6 million in the United States – have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise.

What does summer hold for the coronavirus? An expert weighs in Dr. Felipe Lobelo said we are in a new normal and the virus isn't going away this summer, but there will be a lot of studying of how warmer temperatures affect it.

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