Coronavirus in Georgia: Latest updates on COVID-19 in Atlanta, state

ExploreFOR FRIDAY’S LATEST NEWS ON THE CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA, 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 Thursday, April 23, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

7 p.m.:

Since noon, Georgia has recorded nine coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the state’s toll to 881, Chelsea Prince and Zachary Hansen report.

In addition, 371 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in that time frame, bringing the state’s total to 21,883.

6 p.m.: As Georgians begin to leave their homes again, Courtney Kueppers has rounded up some things to keep in mind to keep yourself safe.

4 p.m.:

Nearly a quarter of a million more Georgians filed jobless claims last week, Michael E. Kanell reports.

That brings the total number of workers in the state who have filed for unemployment benefits to about 1.1 million over the past month, more than 1 in 5 Georgia workers.

1:30 p.m.: Georgia is slated to receive nearly $11 million in federal coronavirus relief funds for elections this year, Mark Niesse reports, and that money could be used for protective gear, high-speed ballot scanners and absentee ballot drop boxes.

Noon:

Georgia’s death toll from the coronavirus stands at 872, Chelsea Prince reports.

A total of 21,512 cases of the virus have been confirmed across the state, up roughly 4% in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health.

The evening was already surreal, what with President Trump throwing Gov. Brian Kemp under the bus and disavowing plans to begin allowing small businesses to open doors closed by the #coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/vuWYRvN555
— AJC (@ajc) April 23, 2020

10 a.m.: A Fulton County elections employee has died from COVID-19, and a voter registration manager was hospitalized, Mark Niesse reports, slowing the county's ability to handle a flood of absentee ballot requests for Georgia's June 9 primary.

9:45: For those wondering what standards Georgia businesses will have to follow in order to open, Stephanie Toone has gathered some general guidelines being considered, and the rules that barbershops and salons will follow once opened.

9 a.m.: DeKalb County has installed a pair of absentee ballot dropboxes, giving voters a contact-free option for submitting their votes ahead of June's primary election. Tyler Estep has the details.

8:30 a.m.:

Spc. Marquez Thomas joined the Georgia National Guard fso he could better support his daughter. A single father, he expected to deploy overseas for war.

Instead, he is fighting an invisible enemy, disinfecting Atlanta-area nursing homes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Jeremy Redmon and Curtis Compton share the stories of Guardsmen fighting a battle they never expected.

6 a.m.: President Donald Trump's opposition to Gov. Brian Kemp's plan to start reopening parts of Georgia's economy will force Republican candidates to pick between their party's leader or the state's top official amid the coronavirus pandemic. Greg Bluestein has the details.

OVERNIGHT

Social media lit up Wednesday evening after Donald Trump announced his opposition to Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to reopen Georgia businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Five metro Atlanta governments will collectively receive more than $614 million in federal aid to help offset the costs of dealing with coronavirus.

» Coronavirus in Georgia: stats in real time

» This map tracks the coronavirus globally

WEDNESDAY’S TOP STORIES

» People Helping People: an AJC special section on ways to help and resources for those who need assistance

DAILY CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

ExploreWednesday, April 22

ExploreTuesday, April 21

ExploreMonday, April 20

ExploreFriday, April 17

ExploreThursday, April 16

ExploreWednesday, April 15

ExploreTuesday, April 14