Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: Confirmed cases rise to 1,097; deaths at 38

For the latest news on Wednesday, March 25, click here.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is committed to providing our readers with the most comprehensive coverage of the deadly coronavirus.

This blog will be updated throughout Tuesday, March 24, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

9 p.m.: "The Room Where It Happens" will be empty for a while, Melissa Ruggieri reports. The Fox Theatre is postponing the full run of "Hamilton" as the venue remains closed due to ongoing coronavirus precautions from city and public health officials.

7:30 p.m.: 

12:30 p.m.: Chelsea Prince reports there are 1,026 confirmed cases of the coronavirus were reported at noon Tuesday by the Georgia Department of Public Health, an increase of about 28% from Monday. COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus, has resulted in the deaths of 32 Georgians, according to the latest data from the health department.

12:15 p.m.: Mark Niesse reports Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announces all of Georgia's 6.9 million active voters will be mailed absentee ballot request forms for the May 19 primary, a major push to encourage voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic.

11:30 a.m.: "This is going to be a long fight," Gov. Brian Kemp told Greg Bluestein on Tuesday. Kemp added he is trying to strike a balance between public safety and economic vitality, but that he has more "arrows left in the quiver."

10:45 a.m.: Fifteen Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who have tested positive for the new coronavirus have been moved from Dobbins Air Reserve Base to a former Radisson Hotel the federal government is leasing in Marietta, U.S. Health and Human Services confirmed Tuesday. Jeremy Redmon has the details.

10 a.m.: A local charity is setting up hand washing stations for Atlanta's homeless, to help some of the city's most vulnerable residents protect themselves from the coronavirus. Gracie Bonds Staples has the story.

9 a.m.: The Georgia Municipal Association on Tuesday morning urged the leaders of all 538 cities in the state to declare public health emergencies and shutdown non-essential businesses within their boundaries, pressing beyond the coronavirus restrictions set by Gov. Brian Kemp less than 24 hours earlier. Jim Galloway, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell have the details.

6:30 a.m.: Emory University has started a $5 million fund for students facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric Stirgus reports. The fund, "EmoryTogether," is perhaps the largest amount of money set aside for such purposes in the nation.

» Coronavirus in Georgia: stats in real time

» If you get COVID-19, how long can you expect to be sick?

OVERNIGHT

• Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday night that she signed a 14-day stay-at-home order, Zachary Hansen reported late last night. Aside from exceptions for "essential" services and businesses, Atlanta residents are directed to stay inside their homes, according to the executive order.
• An employee of a Publix store in Forsyth County has tested positive for the coronavirus, the grocery chain said late Monday, Alexis Stevens reported. The employee works at the store in the Cruse Marketplace, located 1735 Buford Highway in Cumming, Publix posted on its website.

MONDAY’S TOP STORIES

• Confirmed cases on the coronavirus climb to 800 since the coronavirus pandemic entered Georgia, with 26 deaths
• The state is giving 60-day extensions to those whose licenses expire in the next few months
• The coronavirus claims two Georgia health care workers

» This map tracks spread of coronavirus in real time