Georgia is nearing 3,000 coronavirus deaths, according to statistics provided by the state’s Department of Public Health.
On Thursday, the state’s coronavirus death toll stood at 2,930, with eight newly reported deaths from Wednesday.
On the AJC's COVID-19 dashboard, deaths are shown by the date they occurred, as reported by the department. But because there is a lag between the date of death and the date the department reports it, more recent data is likely to be adjusted upward in the future.
»COMPLETE COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS
On Thursday, a total of 106,727 confirmed coronavirus cases in Georgia were reported by state health officials.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued a mandate late Wednesday requiring people in the city to wear masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, a move that follows a number of other local governments that are openly defying Gov. Brian Kemp.
»More details of the Atlanta face mask order
Savannah was the first to establish a mask ordinance last week. The cities of East Point and Athens passed their own ordinances Tuesday.
So far, Kemp has encouraged the use of masks, but not required them, and has said local municipalities cannot create stronger provisions than those that are in his emergency order.
»MORE: CDC says it will not rewrite guidelines for reopening schools
Kemp has called a statewide requirement on masks a “bridge too far” and pursued a softer approach, including a “Wear A Mask” tour last week that visited seven Georgia cities over two days.