UPDATE [7 p.m.]: The Georgia Department of Public Health recorded 14 more coronavirus deaths since noon, bringing Georgia's toll near 200.
The DPH also announced an additional 136 cases, bringing the state’s total to 5,967. Of those cases, 1,222 patients are hospitalized, which is about 20.5% of all cases.
In total, 198 Georgians have died from the virus. Dougherty County has suffered the most deaths with 30, followed by Fulton with 26 and Cobb with 20.
The state has conducted more than 25,200 tests, and about 23.6% have returned positive results.
At least 64.6% of those who died had preexisting conditions, and only 33 were under the age of 60, according to the latest data. The youngest victim in Georgia was a 29-year-old Peach County woman, while the oldest was a 98-year-old man from Clarke County.
No new counties reported their first positive case of COVID-19 on Friday afternoon, meaning the number of affected counties remains at 147. That leaves 12 counties without a confirmed case.
Dougherty saw the largest increase with 47 new cases, followed by Cobb with 41 and DeKalb with 35. However, Fulton still has the most cases by far with 910, according to the latest data.
As of 7 p.m., there were 483 cases in DeKalb, 422 in Cobb, 353 in Gwinnett, 206 in Clayton, 159 in Bartow, 143 in Henry, 114 in Cherokee, 81 in Hall, 78 in Douglas, 67 in Rockdale, 61 each in Forsyth and Fayette, 46 in Paulding and 42 in Newton.
Patients between the ages of 18 and 59 make up the majority of cases at 59%, while those 60 and older account for 35%. The DPH does not release compiled data on how many patients have recovered.
For the full update, click here.
ORIGINAL STORY [noon]: The novel coronavirus is maintaining a firm grip on Georgia as state health officials on Friday reported 387 new cases and a growing death toll.
The latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health shows 5,831 confirmed cases, an increase of about 7% from the 5,444 cases reported Thursday night.
Eight more Georgians have died as a result of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, bringing the state’s total to 184.
» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia
Since Thursday night, commercial and state laboratories have conducted 2,308 new tests. Of those who have tested positive since the beginning of the outbreak, 1,158 are in hospitals, according to the health department.
Those numbers are predicted to grow even further in coming weeks as plans are put in place to increase daily testing capacity. Scientific projections suggest the state will see thousands of new cases and hundreds of additional deaths before the virus is contained, AJC.com previously reported.
Growing concerns about the worsening COVID-19 outbreak prompted Gov. Brian Kemp to issue a statewide stay-at-home order. The executive order will go into effect at 6 p.m. Friday and will last through at least April 13.
» PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta adjusts to shifts in daily life amid coronavirus crisis
The order requires Georgians to remain in their homes for all but essential activities, which include buying food, seeking medical care, working in critical jobs or exercising outdoors.
Kemp also ordered the closure of all public schools through the end of the academic year.
» MORE: Kemp details Georgia's statewide shelter in place order
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.
» RELATED: Coronavirus cases now reported at 58 Georgia senior care facilities
Few counties in Georgia have gone unaffected by the virus, as all but 12 of the state’s 159 counties now report confirmed cases.
In metro Atlanta, there are now 882 cases of the virus in Fulton, 448 in DeKalb, 381 in Cobb, 329 in Gwinnett, 195 in Clayton, 154 in Bartow, 143 in Carroll, 125 in Henry, 104 in Cherokee, 79 in Hall, 71 in Douglas, 63 in Rockdale, 42 in Paulding and 40 in Newton.
Dougherty County reported 39 new cases, making for a total of 560 in what has become the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in Georgia.
Dougherty did not report any new deaths, but remains the hardest hit county in Georgia with 30 on record. The county with the next highest number of deaths is Fulton with 23.
Of the deaths reported, about 64% had underlying health conditions and about 76% were over the age of 60.
» DASHBOARD: Real-time stats and charts tracking coronavirus in Georgia
» MORE: Map tracks coronavirus globally in real time
Those who believe they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to contact their primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.
Georgians can also call the state COVID-19 hotline at 844-442-2681 to share public health information and connect with medical professionals.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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