There have been five deaths in Northeast Georgia attributed to the coronavirus and 65 statewide, according to the Friday evening report from state health officials.
The format for Friday's night's report had been changed to include the number of deaths in each county. In Northeast Georgia, none have been reported in Hall County, Athens-Clarke has recorded two, and Gwinnett, Barrow and Forsyth counties, one each.
The number of confirmed cases in Hall County increased to 30 by nightfall from 24 at noon.
The death toll now includes a 49-year-old inmate from nearby Lee State Prison who tested positive for COVID-19 and died Thursday while hospitalized in Albany, the Georgia Department of Corrections said. Five other inmates and four staff members at the same prison also were infected; three were hospitalized while the others recover in isolation, the agency said.
Another inmate has been infected at Phillips State Prison in Buford, and was placed in medical isolation at the prison. Movement was being restricted at both prisons, but inmates still had access to medical care, showers and hygiene products, the department said.
Local officials have been taking action since the Georgia Municipal Association advised all 538 cities in the state to order curfews from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and close gyms, movie theaters and other businesses. New emergency ordinances in Cartersville and surrounding Bartow County took affect Friday, with violations punishable by $1,000 fines and up to two months in jail.
Click here to read the latest report.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
