Georgia became the fifth American state to record 200,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, as the state also neared 4,000 deaths from …
Georgia became the fifth American state to record 200,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, as the state also neared 4,000 deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory illness that the virus causes. The milestone comes amid signs that the pace of new infections in the current upsurge has slowed, although hospitalizations and deaths remain high. The resumption of in-person classes at schools and universities could also spark an increase in infections. More Georgia K-12 school districts opened for face-to-face instruction Wednesday, while Mercer University announced that 35 students, including 29 student athletes, have tested positive for the virus before fall classes even begin. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp continues to defend his refusal to follow medical officials’ recommendations to order mask wearing and shut down bars. Instead, he has sued Atlanta officials, in part to void a mask order by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Spokesperson Cody Hall on Wednesday reinforced Kemp’s message that voluntary action is enough to tame the outbreak and that the state must focus on both health and jobs. “Wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and follow guidance from state public health officials contained in the governor’s executive orders,” Hall wrote in an email.
