Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: Georgia cases near 5K; deaths at 154

Georgia schools will not reopen until fall session; Kemp to order state to shelter in place

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 Wednesday, April 1, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

7 p.m.: 

Georgia recorded 15 more coronavirus deaths since noon Wednesday, bringing the state’s toll to 154, Chelsea Prince and Zachary Hansen report
The DPH also confirmed 110 more cases of COVID-19, which brings the state’s total to 4,748. Of those, 1,013 patients are hospitalized, which is about 21.3% of all cases.

6:30 p.m.: 

Days after helping hundreds of University of Georgia students move out of their dorms for the semester, a housing employee was diagnosed with COVID-19. Zachary Hansen has which dorms he helped clear and when
. The employee is also a student.

6 p.m.: 

Gov. Brian Kemp said he is preparing a statewide shelter-in-place order across Georgia to try to curb the spread of a coronavirus pandemic, Greg Bluestein reports
The new rules, which he will issue Thursday, are set to run Friday through April 13.

5 p.m.: 

Gov. Brian Kemp made it official: He ordered schools closed for the rest of the academic year as Georgia hunkers down against the novel coronavirus. 
At a briefing Wednesday he announced he was considering a statewide shelter in place order. Ty Tagami has the details.

1 p.m.: 

On the day that would have been their home opener, the Braves plan to present an “At Home Opener” on their social media channels, Tim Tucker reports
The 90-minute programming will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday and include remote interviews by Braves broadcasters with general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager Brian Snitker and first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Noon: 

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Georgia has more than doubled in the past five days, from just over 2,000 cases Friday to more than 4,500 Wednesday, Chelsea Prince reports.
There are now at least 4,638 cases and 139 deaths statewide, according to the latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Fourteen more Georgians have died since Tuesday night.

9:30 a.m.:

They aren’t drivin’ but Atlanta’s own long-serving rockers Drivin N Cryin will be performing. T
he band offered a limited edition “Live the Love Beautiful Live” album on vinyl, the first pressing of which sold out. Since they aren’t able to play live in support of the album, the band is teaming up with The Grunge Bible for a live stream event. Shane Harrison tells you when and where it will happen.

» Coronavirus in Georgia: stats in real time

9 a.m.: Home Depot said Wednesday it is limiting the number of customers in its stores, curtailing opening hours, adding paid leave for employees and ending sales of protective masks, Michael E. Kanell reports.

6:30 a.m.: More than three weeks after Gov. Brian Kemp ordered Georgia employees who could to work from home in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, more than 10,000 state workers still head into their places of business each day. Maya T. Prabhu tells you why.

6:30 a.m.: It's the first day of the month, which means rent and mortgage payments are due. Meris Lutz talks to Atlantans about what that means if you no longer have an income source.

» Where to find free internet in Georgia during the coronavirus

» Photos: Metro Atlanta adjusts to coronavirus shifts in daily life

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