Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: COVID-19 deaths in Georgia near 2,000

FOR SATURDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS, 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 Friday, May 29, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

7 p.m.: The AJC is keeping track of coronavirus deaths and cases across Georgia, as reported by the Department of Public Health. This evening, there are at least 1,944 deaths and 45,863 confirmed cases.

5:30 p.m.: Tamar Hallerman reports that business groups are dialing up the pressure on state lawmakers to advance legislation that would shield companies from legal liability if workers or customers contract COVID-19.

5:30 p.m.: Atlanta restaurants begin to reopen en masse. Henri Hollis has that story and more dining news.

3 p.m.: Nancy Clanton reports on a new study that found wearing a mask at home can be nearly 80% effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

1 p.m.: The AJC is keeping track of coronavirus deaths and cases across Georgia, as reported by the Department of Public Health. At midday, there are at least 1,974 deaths and 45,670 confirmed cases.

12:15 p.m.: Transportation reporter David Wickert reports on why public transit agencies won't be requiring passengers to wear face masks.

12:15 p.m.: Fernbank, which has been closed to the public since mid-March, announced its plans for "cautiously reopening." Courtney Kueppers has the details.

10:30 a.m.: Helena Oliviero reports on how a young nurse's death highlights questions about COVID-19 pandemic's true toll.

8:30 a.m.: Smyrna closed Riverline Park because of "continual and large scale activity," according to its Facebook page. Kristal Dixon has the story.

7:45 a.m.: Eric Stirgus reports that Google is providing a $1 million grant to Morehouse School of Medicine to collect and analyze data to explore why communities of color have had higher diagnoses of COVID-19.

7:30 a.m.: Decatur has had a 'pandemic plan' since 2009. J.D. Capelouto tells you what it predicted.

7:15 a.m.: Atlanta Public Schools will scale back its food distribution program over the summer but still plans to provide 60,000 meals to children in June, Vanessa McCray reports.

6:30 a.m.: A month after the lockdown ended, Georgia's economy is still reopening slowly, and Michael E. Kanell has the story.