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

» Complete coverage: Coronavirus

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» Mo Willems will host daily live stream doodle for kids home from school

Noon: 

11 a.m.: Georgia's public health commissioner said Tuesday the state is seeking out respirators, ventilators and other medical equipment to try and contain the coronavirus outbreak, Tamar Hallerman reports. Dr. Kathleen Toomey said some of Georgia's hardest-hit communities are experiencing equipment shortages

10:15 a.m.: 

9:35 a.m.: Nine doctors are sick with COVID-19, the diseased caused by the new coronavirus, Atlanta-based CNN anchor Dr. Sanjay Gupta said on air. Ariel Hart reports that Gupta was quoting in part from emails he exchanged with Dr. Carlos del Rio, chairman of the global health department at Emory University and the dean overseeing physicians at Grady Memorial Hospital.

9:30 a.m.: Airport blogger Kelly Yamanouchi reports some TSA checkpoints at Hartsfield-Jackson have closed. According to TSA, there are more "call-outs" by officers who are not reporting to work this morning after they learned yesterday that one of their colleagues tested positive for the coronavirus.

8:30 a.m.: 

8 a.m.: On Tuesday, Clayton and Fayette communities will distribute food to families in their area for a second day Leon Stafford reports, while Henry County will begin handing out meals Wednesday. Click here for times and locations.

6:30 a.m.: Three of Georgia's largest hospital systems urge people not to come to hospitals to be tested if they have mild or moderate symptoms, J. Scott Trubey reports. "The majority of patients can safely recover at home with self-isolation and symptomatic treatment," they said in a joint statement.

» This map tracks spread of coronavirus in real time

» 5 ways to help others during coronavirus outbreak

OVERNIGHT

  • Georgia reports its first senior care coronavirus case. Brad Schrade reports three residents and an employee have tested positie for the coronavirus.
  • Sports, schools, large gatherings. It's time to add another thing to the list of things the coronavirus has taken away: strip clubs. Ben Brasch reports multiple strip clubs in metro Atlanta announced Monday they are closing over fear of spreading COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

» Why the CDC recommends you wash your hands a certain way

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres