CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: What’s happening today- March 31, 2020

GEORGIA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, March 31: (Click here for the previous day)

We’ll bring you LIVE updates every hour on Channel 2 Action News. Get extended coverage on the free WSB Now app on your Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

[MORE: Special section on the latest on coronavirus in Georgia]

• There are 4,117 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia, with 125 deaths and 885 hospitalizations, according to the latest numbers.
• Georgia’s GOP delegation has sent a letter to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to push back now-May primary back even further.

• Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an administrative order directing a hazard pay policy for front-line City employees.
• Bottoms announced the launch of the #ATLSTRONG FUND, a donation campaign led by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to support City of Atlanta residents experiencing economic hardships and health-related issues caused by COVID-19. Those who wish to give can do so through this secured link or by visiting ATLSTRONG.ORG. By texting “ATLCOVID19” to 888777, users will receive the latest and necessary information on COVID-19 as it happens.
• The City of Norcross has adopted a “Stay at Home” order effective from 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020, unless extended.
• Gov. Brian Kemp’s office and the state’s public colleges and universities on Tuesday announced plans to dramatically increase coronavirus testing capacity in Georgia by some 3,000 tests per day.
• Gov. Kemp has deployed the Georgia National Guard to nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state.
• DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has formed a COVID-19 Strategic Task Force. The task force will provide professional, technical and strategic counsel related to protecting the health, safety and economic well-being of DeKalb’s 750,000 residents. Member include David Ross, president and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health, and Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district director of the DeKalb Board of Health.
• Comcast announced it has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to launch the Get Our Kids Connected campaign to support low-income families. Through its Internet Essentials program, Comcast will work with APS to solicit financial support from individuals and organizations to sponsor students with low-cost, high-speed internet and computers.
• Gwinnett County officials say anyone violating the stay-at-home order could be fined $1,000 and spend up to 60 days in jail.
• More than 786,000 people worldwide -- including more than 164,000 people in the United States – have been infected.
• President Trump has extended social distancing guidelines until April 30 as state leaders demand stricter executive actions from Gov. Kemp.
• An expert with Emory University said models show the peak for Georgia will be around April 22.
• Today is the deadline for Atlanta Public School families to request devices for digital learning.
• Walmart has announced they will start doing temperature checks on employees and provide masks and gloves.
• Comcast announced today it has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to launch the Get Our Kids Connected campaign to support low-income families. Comcast will work with APS to solicit financial support from individuals and organizations to sponsor students with low-cost, high-speed internet and computers.
• Low income, elderly an disabled Georgians can now get assistance with cooling their homes starting April 1. Visit www.georgiacaa.org for more information.

Health officials say peak of coronavirus outbreak in Georgia still 3 weeks away Channel 2's Wendy Corona spoke with an Emory professor about what is still to come

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