A member of the governor’s coronavirus task force is now the second lawmaker with COVID-19, the first cases of the illness have been reported inside a Georgia prison and state epidemiologists will travel to Albany to combat an outbreak. 

The Georgia Department of Public Health is releasing updates twice a day as more test results start rolling in.

As of 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, there are 555 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia with 20 reported deaths. Just over 3,600 tests have been performed by state and commercial labs.

Worldwide, more than 280,000 cases and 12,000 deaths have been reported, as well as 87,000 reported recoveries.

Here is the latest coronavirus news from Georgia for Saturday, March 21, 2020.

First COVID-19 cases in Georgia prison

The Georgia Department of Corrections announced late Friday night that three inmates at Lee State Prison in Leesburg have tested positive for COVID-19. One has been hospitalized since March 15, the others since March 16.

According to a press release, no staff at the prison have exhibited symptoms of the illness, but earlier this week GDC said a staff member at one of the 34 state prisons has coronavirus.

At that time, the ACLU of Georgia called for low-level offenders or those in custody who could not afford to pay cash bail to be released.

RELATED: Fulton County Chief Jailer Says Crime Isn't Down, But Inmates Are Keeping COVID-19 Away

 

Coronavirus task force member has coronavirus

State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) announced on Facebook Friday that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The physician said she self-quarantined immediately after developing a fever last weekend, was tested on Sunday and received results Friday.

She is the second state senator to test positive after Alpharetta Republican Brandon Beach sent the entire legislature into self-quarantine earlier this week. Beach was at the Capitol as late as Monday with symptoms of the virus, even as he was awaiting results for his COVID-19 test.

State Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta), chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, posted on social media that she is also waiting for test results and is isolating herself at home.

Gov. Brian Kemp named several committees for his coronavirus task force Friday, including Kirkpatrick as a member of the primary care provider committee.

Kemp: no plans for lockdown, for now

There are no plans currently to ban public events, institute a mandatory quarantine or shut down businesses in Georgia as both confirmed cases and testing capacity for COVID-19 continues to grow, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Thursday.

However, the governor outlined a new reality for many Georgians in his digital briefing.

“As you all know, life has drastically changed over the past few weeks here in our state, across our country, and certainly across the world,” he said. “Our Georgia children are now at home, many Georgians are working remotely, our public gatherings are few and far between, and that’s for a very good reason.”

Epidemiologists deployed to help curb Albany outbreak

The Georgia Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are sending a team of epidemiologists to investigate the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases in Dougherty County.

There are at least 45 confirmed cases and seven deaths, and hospital officials at Phoebe Putney say hundreds more are at home self-isolating until testing results come back.

The public health team’s initial focus will be on the hospital group as well as long-term care facilities.

“This is a historic public health threat and we must work together with our federal, state and local partners to contain this pandemic,” DPH commissioner Kathleen Toomey said. “Individuals, too, must take responsibility for themselves and their families to ensure they are taking all the recommended COVID-19 prevention measures, including avoiding large groups and gatherings.”

Some cities are imposing limitations to curb the spread of coronavirus

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has issued an executive order directing Atlanta police officers not to enforce laws prohibiting selling alcohol to-go from bars and restaurants.

Restaurants are also limited to takeout or delivery options, as gyms, movie theaters, bars and other public gathering places are closed.

“The fate of cities across the globe will be upon [us] soon if we do not follow recommendations on ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” she said in a tweet.

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson issued a declaration of local emergency Friday, limiting gatherings of more than 10 people, closing restaurants except for takeout service and other public gatherings, through April 3.

Augusta mayor Hardie Davis ordered similar restrictions until April 4, writing "it has been evidenced that people in Augusta-Richmond County to continue to congregate in large numbers" and the closures would wnsure the health and welfare of the community.

In Savannah, Mayor Van Johnson signed a declaration closing all bars and nightclubs not serving food, effective 8 a.m. Saturday. The action by the mayor also closes other businesses, including gyms, entertainment venues and other gathering places, plus tours.

"When we close businesses, we're also closing livelihoods," Johnson acknowledged, but stressed the importance of avoiding gatherings and close contact.

Death toll at 20

Twenty people have died from COVID-19 so far, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

First adolescent hospitalized with COVID-19

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting one of the first known cases involving an adolescent. A 12-year-old girl is currently fighting for her life at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
 
The disease COVID-19 is somewhat rare in children with just 1% of cases in Georgia involving the 0-17 age group according to the most recent figures from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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