UPDATE [7 p.m.]: In the seven hours since the last update, the Georgia Department of Public Heath announced Friday night another death from COVID-19 across the state in addition to 65 more confirmed cases.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 485 since the coronavirus pandemic entered Georgia. That’s a 15% increase from the noon update, which totaled 420.
Fourteen Georgians have died as a result of COVID-19.
So far, Georgia has conducted nearly 2,400 tests, resulting in the 485 positive cases. About 20% of tests conducted returned positive results.
Two new counties — Lamar and Sumter — reported their first cases, with Lamar having one and Sumter having two. In total, there are 52 affected counties.
Bartow County saw the largest increase since noon Friday with 14 new cases, followed by Fulton with nine and Dougherty with six.
Of the metro Atlanta counties, Fulton continues to lead the count with 88 cases of the virus. As of 7 p.m. Friday, there were 54 cases in Bartow, 47 in Cobb, 36 in DeKalb, 23 in Gwinnett, 16 in Cherokee, 10 in Clayton, six in Henry, six in Hall, four in Newton, three in Paulding and one in Rockdale.
The confirmed cases are divided just about evenly among men and women. The largest portion of cases, about 41%, is made up of adults younger than 60.
Senior adults account for 33% of the cases, and only 1% are children. The ages of the remaining 25% are unknown.
Friday was the first day the DPH released new case numbers twice throughout the day instead of just once in the morning. The department plans to continue to release new data at noon and 7 p.m. for the foreseeable future.
ORIGINAL STORY: Georgia again saw a sharp increase in new cases of the coronavirus Friday, with the state now reporting 420 confirmed cases and three additional deaths.
The latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health shows a 46% increase from Thursday's cases, which totaled 287.
» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia
At least 13 Georgians have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel virus. Among the victims are a man in Cobb County, four women in Dougherty County and two men in Fulton County. Deaths have also been reported in Early, Fayette and Floyd counties.
The victims range in age from 42 to 83, and at least eight had chronic health conditions before contracting the virus, according to state health officials.
» RELATED: As deaths soar, Georgia enters dangerous phase of outbreak
The 420 positive cases were confirmed from more than 2,000 tests conducted across the state, according to health officials. About 17% of all tests conducted returned positive results.
New cases were reported Friday in 15 more Georgia counties, bringing the total number of affected counties to 50.
Dougherty County, which includes Albany, saw the largest increase with 18 new cases, followed by Bartow with 14 and Fulton and DeKalb with 13 new cases each.
Of the metro Atlanta counties, Fulton continues to lead the count with 79 cases of the virus. As of Friday, there were 45 cases in Cobb, 40 in Bartow, 35 in DeKalb, 20 in Gwinnett, 13 in Cherokee, nine in Clayton, six in Henry, five in Hall, four in Newton, three in Paulding and one in Rockdale.
The confirmed cases are divided evenly among men and women. The largest portion of cases, about 41%, is made up of adults younger than 60.
Senior adults account for 33% of the cases, and only 1% are children. The ages of the remaining 25% are unknown.
With Georgia taking steps to ration its limited supply of test kits and hospital systems urging mild cases not to seek testing, experts say the number of cases is likely far higher.
For most, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms. Older adults and those with existing health problems are at risk of more severe illnesses, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover in a matter of weeks.
Those who can recover at home by managing symptoms in isolation are advised to do so.
At a news conference Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp said that conserving medical supplies is essential to combating the pandemic. He urged hospitals to cancel elective procedures but said he has no immediate plans to mandate a statewide quarantine or impose restrictions on businesses.
» MORE: Kemp rejects statewide shutdown to contain coronavirus
The governor urged Georgians to call a tip line at 1-844-442-2681 to share public health information and connect with medical professionals.
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