Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 28: (Click here for the previous day)
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- There are almost 24,844 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia and 1,036 deaths. The Georgia Department of Public Health updated its website for more hourly updates. Previously, the department updated the numbers twice a day.
- Georgia is now the 11th state to reach 1,000 deaths from the virus in the United States, according to RealClear Politics coronavirus tracker.
- The amount of COVID-19 tests administered in Georgia hit a record on Tuesday with 13,000 reported. There are now 49 testing sites across the state in addition to nine run by the Georgia National Guard. Find a COVID-19 testing site in Georgia
- Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne first reported that testing is expanding to asymptomatic essential workers, including grocery workers, at nine testing sites across Georgia.
- Department of Health numbers seem to indicate there is a flattening of the curve
- Governor Kemp says Georgia is using 992 ventilators out of 2,846 in the state. The governor says its the lowest level of use since the widespread pandemic began.
On April 8, hospitals began submitting ventilator use data to @GeorgiaEMA. At 992 ventilators in use, today marks the lowest day for ventilator utilization in Georgia. There are 1,854 ventilators available out of 2,846 total. Many thanks to @GaHospitalAssoc for this partnership!
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 28, 2020
- The CDC and local health officials will begin to offer random, voluntary testing for COVID-19 antibodies in DeKalb and Fulton counties.
- A computer research model grimly predicts the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus infections and deaths this summer in Georgia.
- Gov. Brian Kemp discussed what he called a difficult decision to reopen some businesses in Georgia during a news conference.
- Kemp said medically fragile people in Georgia should shelter in place until May 13.
- Kemp said he will allow the restrictions on vacation rentals in Georgia to expire on April 30. The original order was in response to local officials concerns about Georgia becoming a vacation destination during the pandemic.
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