UPDATE [7 p.m.]: Since noon, the Georgia Department of Public Health announced that seven more people with COVID-19 died across the state, bringing Georgia's toll to 899.
In the past week, 231 Georgians have died from COVID-19, which is more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths Georgia has suffered.
In addition, the DPH confirmed 344 cases since noon, which brings the state’s total to 22,491. Of those, 4,322 patients have been hospitalized at some point, which is about 19.2% of all cases.
Of the 108 counties to report at least one death from COVID-19, Dougherty remains the hardest hit with 108 deaths, followed by Fulton with 91 and Cobb with 72. Since noon, Cobb recorded the most new deaths with three.
Across the state, public health officials recorded 18 new deaths since Thursday evening.
More than 107,000 tests have been conducted in Georgia, and about 21% of those have returned positive results.
At least 65.5% of those who died had a preexisting condition, but the DPH did not know that information for about 31.7% of the victims. Only 25 were confirmed to not have another condition that could have contributed to their death aside from COVID-19.
The DPH also releases data on the race and ethnicity of patients, but about 35.6% of patients had their race listed as unknown.
Of the remaining patients, about 33.5% were black, 25.7% were white and 1.3% were Asian, according to the latest data. About 7% of patients were listed as having Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
The DPH recently expanded the race and ethnicity data to include those who died from the virus. The information for all but 26 victims is known.
About 52.5% of those who died were black and 40.6% were white, according to the latest data. Those with Hispanic ethnicity made up about 3.4% of the death toll, while Asians comprised of about 1.6%.
Only two counties, Glascock and Taliaferro, have not recorded their first case, according to the DPH. The remaining 157 counties in Georgia have at least one, with Fulton topping the list with 2,500 confirmed cases. However, Hall saw the most new cases since noon with 38, followed by Fulton with 32 and Cobb with 25.
Since Wednesday evening, Georgia recorded 608 new cases.
As of 7 p.m. Friday, there were 1,721 confirmed cases in DeKalb, 1,382 in Gwinnett, 1,368 in Cobb, 1,022 in Hall, 629 in Clayton, 419 in Henry, 367 in Cherokee, 276 in Douglas, 273 in Bartow, 241 in Forsyth, 158 in Fayette, Newton and Rockdale and 156 in Paulding.
Patients between the ages of 18 and 59 make up the majority of cases at 62%, while those 60 and older make up 34% of cases. The DPH does not release compiled data on how many patients have recovered.
For the full update, click here.
ORIGINAL STORY [noon]: Nearly 900 Georgians have died of the new coronavirus, state health officials said Friday.
An additional 11 deaths have been reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health since Thursday, bringing the state's toll to 892. The grim benchmark comes as some businesses shuttered at the start of the outbreak began to reopen.
As of Friday, officials have confirmed 22,147 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Infections are up roughly 3% in the past 24 hours, continuing a trend of steady daily increases of less than 5%.
» COMPLETE COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA
Officials say those numbers are lagging as data rolls in from local officials and hospitals and do not reflect the crisis in real time. They may also be adjusted as the health department receives additional information.
» MORE: 'Confused and scared': Georgians frustrated over shifting virus data
Hair and nail salons, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors and massage parlors are among the businesses that were allowed to open Friday under Gov. Brian Kemp’s latest executive order. Theaters and dine-in service at restaurants can resume Monday, provided they follow a long list of guidelines to maintain social distancing.
» RELATED: Lines start early for haircuts as Georgia begins to reopen
» MORE: Some Atlanta businesses race to reopen Friday despite coronavirus
The decision has been met by criticism from health experts and other leaders, including President Donald Trump, who say the data on new infections and the rising death toll does not support reopening.
Kemp on Thursday again defended the move, writing on Twitter that it comes “with favorable data and approval from state health officials.”
Together, we will weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever. (5/5) #gapol
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 24, 2020
“I know these hardworking Georgians will prioritize the safety of their employees and customers,” he said of the businesses resuming operations.
» AJC IN-DEPTH: As some Ga. businesses get set to reopen, Trump kicks Kemp even harder
Still, numbers are rising. The increase in new COVID-19 infections Friday accompanies an additional 6,114 tests performed statewide since data was last reported Thursday night. More than 100,000 tests have been conducted since the outbreak began, according to health officials.
In metro Atlanta, there are 2,468 cases of the virus in Fulton, 1,709 in DeKalb, 1,366 in Gwinnett, 1,343 in Cobb, 984 in Hall, 623 in Clayton, 418 in Henry, 365 in Cherokee, 317 in Carroll, 274 in Douglas, 265 in Bartow, 240 in Forsyth, 158 in Rockdale, 155 in Newton and 153 in Paulding.
Cobb County reported the most new deaths Friday with three. At 69, it falls behind both Dougherty County in southwest Georgia and Fulton County in total number of deaths. Dougherty’s death toll exceeds 100, according to state officials.
No new counties verified deaths Friday. A total of 107 have reported at least one since the outbreak began.
Some experts fear Georgia still has further to climb before deaths reach their peak. A widely cited computer model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation now projects the state will peak April 29, an adjustment from prior projections that suggested the peak came April 7.
» DASHBOARD: Real-time stats and charts tracking coronavirus in Georgia
» MORE: Map tracks coronavirus globally in real time
That model, as well as hospital bed capacity, were among the many factors cited by Kemp in his decision to begin reopening the state. According to health officials, 4,221 have at some point been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Georgia, including 67 since data was last released Thursday night.
» CONTINUING COVERAGE: Still strapped for resources, rural hospitals wary of state reopening
All of Georgia remains under a shelter-in-place order through April 30, while the medically fragile are encouraged to shelter in place through May 13.
Since last week, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible to be tested. Testing is still prioritized for health care workers, first responders and other critical workers regardless of whether they are showing symptoms.
Those who believe they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to contact their local health department, their primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Do not show up unannounced at a testing site, emergency room or other health care facility.
Georgians can also call the state COVID-19 hotline at 844-442-2681 to share public health information and connect with medical professionals.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
