UPDATED, 5 P.M.
Gov. Brian Kemp also has extended a statewide shelter-in-place order through the end of April. It was also set to expire on April 13.
Gyms, bars and places where people gather will stay closed, as will restaurants for dining service.
People are asked to limit travel for necessary shopping such as food and medical care, but to observe social distancing measures.
Churches, synagogues and other places of worship as well as funerals are allowed if no more than 10 people attend, also following social distancing protocols.
But many faith communities have been conducting virtual services for several weeks, and are doing so for Passover and Easter observances this week.
The governor’s extended order Wednesday afternoon also places further obligations on senior, nursing and long-term care homes to help stop the spread of the virus.
Many facilities have been barring visitors, serving residents meals in their rooms and cancelling group activities.
Those facilities also must now incorporate infectious disease transfer procedures with nearby hospitals.
Elderly people comprise a major number of COVID-19 cases. In Georgia, the median age of those dying from the virus is 74, and in Cobb it’s around 70.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
A public health emergency in Georgia that was set to expire on April 13 has been extended another month by Gov. Brian Kemp.
He announced Wednesday that as a result, he would not request a special session of the Georgia General Assembly, similar to a one-day session last month that approved his initial declaration, which includes an expansion of emergency powers due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
That legislative session tentatively had been scheduled for April 15. But under state law, a Georgia governor can renew a public health emergency without the approval of lawmakers.
“This measure will allow us to continue to deploy resources to communities in need, lend support to frontline medical providers, and keep preparing as we brace for potential patient surge in our healthcare facilities,” Kemp said in a statement that was jointly issued with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker Dennis Ralston.
“In these unprecedented times, we ask Georgians for their continued patience and prayers, especially for first responders, law enforcement, and the healthcare workers caring for the medically fragile. They are going above and beyond to keep us all safe, and we will never be able to repay them for their sacrifices.”
UPDATED: As of noon Wednesday, 9,901 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Georgia, with 362 deaths and 1,993 hospitalizations.
Cobb County has 588 confirmed cases and 29 deaths, both among the highest figures in the state. For a larger version of the map below, click here.
Georgia has tested relatively few people compared to other states, with 38,707 individuals in all. The state’s public health agency has set up drive-through testing centers around Georgia, including one at Jim Miller Park in Cobb County.
But only individuals identified in vulnerable populations, health care workers, first responders and those with a medical referral are allowed to get those tests.
The entire legislature was self-quarantined after being exposed to COVID-19 by colleagues. Among those testing positive was State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of East Cobb, who is recovering after undergoing a quarantine period.
Extending the public health emergency has no bearing on a statewide shelter-in-place ordered by Kemp through April 13.
That order restricts all business and other activities to 10 people or less, observing social distancing measures.
Families and individuals must also shelter-in-place except for essential travel and business or immediate family reasons.
Those businesses or operations not deemed to be part of the “critical infrastructure” will be limited to what the order calls “minimum basic operations,” also following social distancing and hygiene and sanitation practices.
Other “personal touch” businesses also must close, including bowling alleys, cinemas and live performance theaters.
Kemp will have a public briefing on the state’s Coronavirus response at 4 p.m. Wednesday. It can be seen live on Georgia Public Broadcasting or the governor’s Facebook Live page.
Related Content
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
