Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: Fears lead Georgians to avoid ER, doctors' office

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 Monday, May 4, with news and details of COVID-19 in Georgia.

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7 p.m.: Updated numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health show the death toll has reached 1,243 and there are 29,437 confirmed cases as of Monday evening.

12:15 p.m.: Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties are pilot testing a coronavirus contact tracing app. Amanda C. Coyne has the details.

noon: Since 7 p.m. Sunday, 1,204 deaths have been confirmed by the Department of Public Health. The DPH said confirmed cases have climbed to 29,103.

noon: Chick-fil-A will reopen doors for carryout only at some locations, Henri Hollis reported.

11:20 a.m.: Bill Rankin reported the coronavirus pandemic has caused Georgia's statewide judicial emergency to be extended to June 12.

10:30 a.m.: Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, The Mall of Georgia, Sugarloaf Mills and Town Center at Cobb are among the malls owner Simon Property Group said will reopen today. Tucker's Northlake Mall also plans to reopen today. J.D. Capelouto has the details.

7:45 a.m.: Christian Boone has the details on how the death of Robin Grubbs, an employee of the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, has raised questions about conditions inside the penitentiary amid the coronavirus pandemic.

7:45 a.m.: Leon Stafford reported Henry County government staffers began returning to work Monday in a staggered manner as temperatures were taken at certain checkpoints. Staffers entered into buildings and offices limited to no more than one person at a time.

7 a.m.: Raisa Habersham reported College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving is offering free services to domestic violence victims who need help moving into a safe place to escape abusive partners.

6:30 a.m.: Atlanta Public Schools' food distribution sites are now giving out books, Vanessa McCray reported.

6 a.m.: Although Georgia's economy has reopened with the lifting of the shelter-in-place order, normalcy is still far away, Michael E. Kanell reported.

5 a.m.: Sick Georgians are avoiding going to the ER and doctors' offices due to COVID-19 fears. Ariel Hart and Helena Oliviero have the details.

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