Coronavirus cases hit 12,545 in Ga. as deaths increase to 442

Georgia surpassed the 12,000 mark for confirmed coronavirus cases

UPDATE [7 p.m.]: In the seven hours since its last report, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed an additional 93 cases of COVID-19 and nine new deaths.

The state's death toll now stands at 442, and there are 12,545 confirmed cases across Georgia, according to the latest data.

As of noon, there were 12,452 confirmed cases and 433 deaths in the state.

Of Georgia’s overall cases, 2,516 patients have been hospitalized, a rate of about 20.06%, according to the 7 p.m figures. That number is up from 2,505 confirmed hospitalizations Sunday afternoon.

Fulton County still has the most cases with 1,490, up from 1,467 at noon. Dougherty County has the second most cases with 1,173, followed by DeKalb County with 891 and Cobb with 727, according to public health officials.

Across other metro Atlanta counties, there are now 700 confirmed cases in Gwinnett, 370 in Clayton, 280 in Hall, 263 in Henry, 213 in Bartow, 187 in Cherokee, 158 in Douglas, 132 in Forsyth, 100 in Fayette, 97 in Rockdale, 81 in Newton and 83 in Paulding.

Patients between the ages of 18 and 59 make up the majority of cases at 61%, while those 60 and older make up 35% of cases. The DPH does not release compiled data on how many patients have recovered.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

ORIGINAL STORY [noon]:Georgia public health officials reported  191 new cases of COVID-19 at noon Sunday, bringing the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state to 12,452.

The latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health also shows one new death related to the coronavirus since Saturday evening, making an overall death toll of 433.

» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia

The number of Georgians killed by the disease caused by the coronavirus has more than doubled in a week. Last Sunday, the DPH reported 211 deaths and 6,647 cases at noon. The rate of Georgia patients who have died of COVID-19 is about 3.48%.

Of Georgia’s overall cases, 2,505 patients have been hospitalized, a rate of about 20.12%, according to the noon figures. That number is up from confirmed 2,491 hospitalizations Saturday evening.

» DASHBOARD: Real-time stats and charts tracking coronavirus in Georgia

» MORE: Map tracks coronavirus globally in real time

The coronavirus is also rapidly spreading within Georgia’s nursing homes and senior care facilities. The number of long-term care facilities with coronavirus outbreaks now stands at 80, up from 47 last week, health officials said Friday.

» ALSO: List of infected Georgia nursing and senior care homes nearly doubles

Health officials have conducted 54,453 tests in Georgia, and about 22.9% of those have returned positive results.

Fulton County has the most cases with 1,467 up from 1,422 yesterday. Dougherty County has the second most with 1,154, followed by DeKalb County with 869 and Cobb with 714, according to the latest data.

The death toll in Dougherty County has not changed since Saturday night, according to the new data. However, at 72 total deaths, the southwest Georgia County has lost more residents to COVID-19 than any other in the state.  » RELATED: Mobile morgues suggest Georgia's coronavirus crisis is far from over

The oldest patient to die in Georgia was a 100-year-old woman from Greene County, according to DPH. The youngest may have been a 22-year-old Muscogee County woman. However, Muscogee Coroner Buddy Bryan is working to confirm the cause of the woman’s death, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

» MORE: Local coroner says COVID-19 was not the cause of 22-year-old’s death

Those numbers do not reflect the extent of COVID-19’s spread in Georgia in real time. According to Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state public health commissioner, it takes time to verify the data coming in from coroners, hospitals and other officials across the state.

On Saturday, the U.S. surpassed 500,000 confirmed cases and overtook Italy as the nation with the most COVID-19 deaths. More than 19,400 Americans have died because of the virus, The Washington Post reported.

Those who believe they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to contact their primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or 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.

In other news: