Henry County declares state of emergency because of COVID-19

Henry County has declared a state of emergency because of increasing COVID-19 infections and their impact on the south metro Atlanta community’s hospital.

The declaration, which will last for 60 days, activates the county’s Emergency Operations Plan and makes essential employees in the areas of firefighting, hospitals, transportation and law enforcement.

Henry, like most counties in metro Atlanta, has seen a sharp increase in positive coronavirus cases because of the more infectious delta variant. The county said that earlier this week that Piedmont Henry Medical Center had exceeded its capacity of ICU beds and 68 COVID patients.

About the Author

He’s delivered more than 2 million newspapers. Soon he’ll deliver his last.

Ride along with David Neeley, who is 72 and has delivered more than 2 million newspapers. He'll come to a hard stop early New Year's Eve, when the AJC print edition goes away.

Atlanta church pastor fired after child cruelty arrest

In an online statement, 2819 Church leaders said they “immediately” suspended Kenneth McFarland after learning of the charge and that he “agreed to step down.”

Man sentenced to life in slayings of Cherokee firefighter, wife

The deaths of Amber and Justin Hicks shocked their family and community. On Friday, Matthew Lanz was sentenced to life in prison.

The Latest

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

He’s delivered more than 2 million newspapers. Soon he’ll deliver his last.

Gridlock Guy: Freeflowing information helps traffic flow, too

Atlanta church pastor fired after child cruelty arrest

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.