BREAKING NEWS: Georgia schools closed through April 24

Cobb Commissioners Coronavirus meeting

Distance learning will continue for students in the Cobb County School District and elsewhere in the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday extended his K-12 public school closure in Georgia through April 24.

He said in a release issued shortly before noon that while schools may be able to open on April 27, “we ask for continued patience and flexibility since circumstances may change, but we encourage families to stay strong and follow the guidance of federal, state, and local leaders in the weeks ahead.”

On March 12, Cobb schools announced they would be closing, the day after a positive Coronavirus test was reported at Kincaid Elementary School.

Kemp initially urged schools to closed without a mandate, but then declared a statewide shutdown through March 31.

Public colleges and universities in Georgia have closed for the rest of the spring semester.

The Georgia Department of Public Health totals of Coronavirus cases in Georgia was at 1,525 as of noon Thursday, with 48 deaths and 473 hospitalizations.

(You can read the daily status report here; it’s updated at 12 and 7 p.m.)

The number of positive cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is 115. Cobb trails only Fulton (211), Dougherty (156) and DeKalb (129).

Kemp is holding a televised town hall meeting at 8 p.m. Thursday. It can be seen on WSB, 11 Alive, CBS46, Fox 5 and Georgia Public Broadcasting.