CONTINUING COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS

Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: Death toll may hit 1,000 this weekend

Georgia confirms 22,491 coronavirus cases, 899 deaths

April 24, 2020

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, April 24, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

7 p.m.:

ince noon, the Georgia Department of Public Health announced that seven more people with COVID-19 died across the state, bringing Georgia’s toll to 899. Chelsea Prince and Zachary Hansen report that

n the past week, 231 Georgians have died from COVID-19, which is more than a quarter of all coronavirus-related deaths Georgia has suffered. In addition, the DPH confirmed 344 cases since noon, which brings the state’s total to 22,491.

6 p.m.: Some restaurants that had announced plans to open next week reversed their decision, including business partners Mychel "Snoop" Dillard and rapper 2 Chainz who own Escobar Restaurant and Tapas Lounge in Castleberry Hill. Food editor Ligaya Figueras has the story.

Noon: An additional 11 deaths have been reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health since Thursday, bringing the state's toll to 892. Chelsea Prince reports that, as of Friday, officials have confirmed 22,147 cases of COVID-19.

10:45 a.m.: Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen urged students to stay home, even as some hair salons, barbershops and other Georgia businesses reopen, Vanessa McCray reports.

9 a.m.: They needed a trim, and couldn't wait any longer. For the the first time in weeks, some Metro Atlanta hair salons and barbershops re-opened Friday. And the lines started early, Alexis Stevens reports.

8:45 a.m.: Area businesses and hospitals say they are wary of reopening Monday. Kristal Dixon talked to Marietta Square restaurants, and Yamil Berard reports on rural hospitals, which are strapped for cash.

6 a.m.: Lilburn's commercial core is a microcosm of how the coronavirus is pummeling Main Streets around the nation, threatening to flatten businesses and reverse years of downtown revitalization efforts. Matt Kempner tells their story.

» Coronavirus in Georgia: stats in real time

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